Rochdale vs Scunthorpe United preview - Same again for Dale

Posted Friday, March 20, 2015 by PA

Rochdale manager Keith Hill will select his starting XI for the home game against Scunthorpe from an unchanged squad.

Hill has no new injury or suspension concerns following the midweek win at Notts County when he made only one change to his side, with Stephen Dawson returning to midfield in place of Joe Bunney.

Midfielder Joe Rafferty (hamstring) has played no part in recent weeks and both striker Calvin Andrew (knee) and Matty Lund (shoulder) remain long-term absentees.

Dale, four points off the play-off places with two games in hand on most rivals, are chasing a third straight home league win and their fourth in their last five matches.

Scunthorpe will be without skipper Neal Bishop, who faces at least a month on the sidelines after undergoing groin surgery.

Bishop was withdrawn at half-time during last week's home draw against Sheffield United and replaced by teenager Hakeeb Adelakun, who is in contention to start despite sustaining a broken hand.

Fellow midfielder Sean McAllister also has a broken hand, sustained in training, but is pushing for a recall to the squad.

Marcus Williams (back) returned to the starting line-up last Saturday after a three-game absence and is expected to resume at left-back.