Rochdale v Cheltenham preview

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Rochdale will bid to seal automatic promotion against Cheltenham without leading goalscorer Scott Hogan.

The 19-goal forward, only recently back in action following a knee injury, sat out Monday’s game at Bristol Rovers and is expected to miss the last two games due to an ankle problem.

Midfielder Peter Vincenti is a major doubt after being knocked unconscious during Monday’s win and his replacement Joe Bunney is hoping to retain his place after scoring the opening goal.

Changes are expected – boss Keith Hill made five on Monday – while Dale will be promoted automatically if they secure their 15th home league win of the season.

Cheltenham have no fresh injury worries as they make the trip to Rochdale.

The Robins secured League Two survival with a 2-0 victory against Mansfield and their two-goal hero Jamie Cureton, who has now scored three times in his last two games, looks set to start up front alongside Byron Harrison once again.

Manager Mark Yates handed Sam Deering a recall for the victory over the Stags but he could be tempted to restore youngster Harry Williams to the starting line-up if he decides to freshen his pack.

Yates believes a top-10 finish is do-able and will tell his side not to rest on their laurels despite having little to play for.

Rochdale v Cheltenham preview

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Bobby Grant is a major doubt as Rochdale prepare to host Cheltenham.

Grant was ruled out of last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Aldershot with a shoulder problem and remains a concern for under-fire boss John Coleman.

Fellow forward Terry Gornell is also unavailable as he serves the second game of a three-match ban following his sending off in the 3-2 loss to Exeter.

Dale have shipped 13 goals in four consecutive defeats, including three before half-time in each of their last three matches and Coleman may look to reshuffle his backline.

Ryan Edwards is pushing for a start having replaces Rhys Bennett at half-time against Aldershot, while Joe Rafferty could also come into the reckoning.

Midfielder Reece Gray is continuing his rehabilitation from a serious leg injury but will not feature until the new year.

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates will monitor Russell Penn.

The Robins midfielder used painkillers to get through their clash with Port Vale last week after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge in the derby with Hereford and is rated 50/50 and Yates could decide to rest the former Burton man.

Striker Kaid Mohamed missed out on the draw with Micky Adams’ men after picking up a kick and a number of knocks to his ankle but is expected to return to action as Yates celebrates his third year in charge of the Robins.

Cheltenham are on a five-game unbeaten run ahead of the trip to Spotland to face an out-of-sorts Rochdale side before back to back home games against Wycombe and then Bristol Rovers.