Crawley vs Rochdale preview - List grows for Crawley

Posted Friday, September 05, 2014 by PA

Crawley have a host of absentees to contend with for the visit of Rochdale.

Defender Joe Walsh and winger Gwion Edwards are on international duty with Wales Under-21s while skipper Josh Simpson's ankle injury is worse than first feared so he is some way from a return.

Bobson Bawling (hamstring) and Conor Henderson (knee) are doubts while Dean Leacock, Ryan Dickson and Jimmy Smith played in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Cambridge on Tuesday night despite carrying knocks, although they should be available again.

Goalkeeper Brian Jensen and striker Izale McLeod return after dropping out of the starting line-up in midweek.

Rochdale pair Ian Henderson and Tom Kennedy are both expected to return to the side after being rested in midweek.

Striker Henderson could take on skipper duties as centre-half Ollie Lancashire is likely to miss out again due to a groin injury, while defender Kennedy sat out the Trophy win at Crewe.

On-loan Blackburn defender Jack O'Connell is hoping to make his second league debut for the club after returning on transfer deadline day, while Dale will be without striker George Donnelly, who signed a permanent deal with Tranmere.

Fellow forward Shamir Fenelon could make his first league start after another run out at Crewe as Dale chase a third straight win on the road.