Aldershot v Rochdale preview

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Aldershot have no new selection issues.

But boss Dean Holdsworth could shake up his starting XI after substitute Adam Mekki came off the bench to net the equaliser during the 1-1 draw at Oxford last time out.

The 22-year-old midfielder has only made two substitute appearances since the end of October due to injury but impressed Holdsworth with his match-saving performance and could be handed a start as the Shots look to pull away from the drop zone.

Top scorer Craig Reid is also pushing to return to the team, after being named on the bench at Oxford.

Goalkeeper Ross Worner has joined Blue Square Bet South side Eastbourne Borough on a one-month loan deal as he looks to regain match fitness following a long-term back injury that had kept him sidelined since February.

Rochdale will be without in-form striker Terry Gornell.

Gornell, who is on loan with Dale from League One side Shrewsbury, was dismissed in the closing stages of the 3-2 loss against Exeter for kicking out at Kevin Amankwaah.

The striker had already struck a brace, taking his tally to three in as many games, to give his side hope in that contest after extending his stay at Spotland until January just 24 hours before kick-off.

However, Dale boss John Coleman must now consider alternative options up front with Dele Adebola, an unused substitute against the

Grecians, perhaps primed for a start.

There is better news elsewhere for Coleman, though, as defender Kevin McIntyre returns from a one-game suspension having accrued five cautions.

Midfielder Reece Gray has continued with his light training but is still some way off returning from his broken leg.

Aldershot v Rochdale preview

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Dean Holdsworth may well keep faith with an unchanged XI once again as Aldershot look to claim their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

The Shots boss named the same side for Saturday’s impressive 1-0 victory at Bristol Rovers as the one who saw off Hereford just four days earlier.

Although, Holdsworth will not be frightened to make changes and the likes of Peter Vincenti will be pushing to start against League One Dale.

Having already seen off West Ham and Carlisle, Aldershot find themselves in the third round of the League Cup for only the second time in their history – the first of which came back in 1984/85 when they went out to Norwich in a replay played amid severe fog at the Recreation Ground.

Shots go into the tie on the back of a superb seven-match unbeaten run but come up against a Rochdale side who saw off Premier League QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road in the previous round.

Rochdale goalkeeper Jake Kean will not be available for the clash.

Kean, on loan from Blackburn, has not been given permission to play by his parent club and so David Lucas will return to Dale’s starting line-up.

Steve Eyre has no new injury or suspension problems and if midfielder Joe Thompson can prove his fitness following a thigh strain, the manager will have a full-strength squad to chose from barring Kean and long-term absentee Simon Hackney (abdomen).

Eyre, whose side upset QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road in the previous round, said: “Aldershot will be another good test, they’ve seen off good opposition in West Ham and Carlisle in the previous rounds and confidence will be high, but no higher than ours so it should be a good match.”

Midfielder Nicky Adams stepped off the substitutes’ bench after returning from suspension in Saturday’s home defeat to Charlton and Eyre must decide whether to recall him or retain Jason Kennedy in his side.

Aldershot v Rochdale preview

admin

Dean Holdsworth may well keep faith with an unchanged XI once again as Aldershot look to claim their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

The Shots boss named the same side for Saturday’s impressive 1-0 victory at Bristol Rovers as the one who saw off Hereford just four days earlier.

Although, Holdsworth will not be frightened to make changes and the likes of Peter Vincenti will be pushing to start against League One Dale.

Having already seen off West Ham and Carlisle, Aldershot find themselves in the third round of the League Cup for only the second time in their history – the first of which came back in 1984/85 when they went out to Norwich in a replay played amid severe fog at the Recreation Ground.

Shots go into the tie on the back of a superb seven-match unbeaten run but come up against a Rochdale side who saw off Premier League QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road in the previous round.

Rochdale goalkeeper Jake Kean will not be available for the clash.

Kean, on loan from Blackburn, has not been given permission to play by his parent club and so David Lucas will return to Dale’s starting line-up.

Steve Eyre has no new injury or suspension problems and if midfielder Joe Thompson can prove his fitness following a thigh strain, the manager will have a full-strength squad to chose from barring Kean and long-term absentee Simon Hackney (abdomen).

Eyre, whose side upset QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road in the previous round, said: “Aldershot will be another good test, they’ve seen off good opposition in West Ham and Carlisle in the previous rounds and confidence will be high, but no higher than ours so it should be a good match.”

Midfielder Nicky Adams stepped off the substitutes’ bench after returning from suspension in Saturday’s home defeat to Charlton and Eyre must decide whether to recall him or retain Jason Kennedy in his side.