Rochdale v MK Dons preview

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Rochdale goalkeeper Jamie Jones will return to contention for the home game against MK Dons following suspension.

Jones sat out the midweek win against Leyton Orient following his dismissal in last Saturday’s defeat at Gillingham and boss Keith Hill must decide whether to recall him or retain Josh Lillis.

Matty Lund will miss the last two games as he remains suspended following his dismissal at Gillingham and fellow midfielder Stephen Dawson (knee) will not feature again this season.

Otherwise, Hill has a clean bill of health as Dale chase the win that could keep their outside play-off chances alive.

Samir Carruthers should be fit for MK Dons, who are also desperate for the three points as they chase automatic promotion.

Carruthers hobbled off with a dead leg towards the end of the 3-0 home victory over Doncaster in midweek but Dons manager Karl Robinson thinks he will be available.

Fellow midfielder Carl Baker did his chances of a recall no harm at all with two goals against Rovers after coming on as a substitute midway through the second half, while Dean Bowditch also scored from the bench on Tuesday night.

The likes of Danny Green, Daniel Powell and Devante Cole are also options for Robinson, whose team remain one point behind second-placed Preston.

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Rochdale v MK Dons preview

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Rochdale manager John Coleman may look to shuffle his pack.

Dale’s relegation back to League Two was confirmed by last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Chesterfield, and changes are expected after Coleman this week revealed his plans to overhaul the Spotland squad in the close season.

Kevin Long (Achilles) and Stephen Darby (heel) returned in defence against the Spireites following injury lay-offs, although 18-year-old full-back Sam Miniham is pushing for a recall to face Karl Robinson’s side.

Skipper Gary Jones was back in the starting line-up at the b2net Stadium following reports of a bust-up with Coleman and assistant Jimmy Ryan and he could be joined in midfield by Simon Hackney.

Former Carlisle and Colchester man Hackney joined Rochdale on a free transfer in the summer but is yet to make his debut having missed the majority of the campaign with an on-going abdominal complaint.

Daniel Powell will miss MK Dons’ final away game of the season through suspension.

Powell was sent off for two bookable offences midway through the second half of the 1-0 home win over automatic promotion chasers Sheffield United last weekend. He will serve a one-match ban.

James O’Shea or Luke Chadwick could replace Powell in midfield while, with just 15 first-team players available, manager Karl Robinson could even consider giving teenager Brendan Galloway his full debut.

The 16-year-old Zimbabwean is almost certain to be at least on the bench.

On-loan Celtic midfielder Paul Slane is back at his parent club receiving treatment for an ankle injury and defender Mathias Kouo-Doumbe will remain absent with the groin problem that has plagued him for the last month.

The Dons have already secured a place in the play-offs, where they will meet Huddersfield. Robinson wants his side to finish fourth in the table, the position they currently hold, so that they are at home in the second leg of the semi-final play-off.

Rochdale v MK Dons preview

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Rochdale manager Keith Hill has no injury or suspension concerns for the home clash with MK Dons.

Hill’s play-off hopefuls extended their unbeaten run to 11 games in last weekend’s goalless draw at lowly Walsall.

The Dale manager felt his players looked rusty against the Saddlers and may be tempted to shuffle his pack as the Spotland outfit gear up for a hectic run of fixtures.

This weekend’s visit of the Dons is the first of seven fixtures in March for Hill’s men, who lie seven points adrift of the play-off places.

Hill said: “When we are playing Saturdays and Tuesdays, it will be about preparing, recovering and making sure we get as many points on the board as possible.”

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson will have Danny Woodards available for the trip to Rochdale.

The right-back missed last weekend’s win over Brighton but has recovered from his ankle knock and will start as Sean O’Hanlon is out.

Central defender O’Hanlon serves the first game of a two-match ban after he was sent off for the second time this season against Brighton, so Mathias Doumbe will move inside to take his place in the middle, thus, allowing Woodards to slot in at full-back.

Strikers Sam Baldock and Jabo Ibehre are fine and will feature after returning last week from a hamstring pull and illness respectively.

On-loan QPR forward Angelo Balanta is back in training after a lengthy spell out with an ankle injury but needs match fitness and will not be involved.