Rochdale v Scunthorpe preview

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Bishop was withdrawn at half-time during last week’s home draw against Sheffield United and replaced by teenager Hakeeb Adelakun, who is in contention to start despite sustaining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

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Rochdale v Scunthorpe preview

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Rochdale manager Keith Hill is expected to include new loan signing Lee Molyneux in his squad for the home game against Scunthorpe.

Molyneux was signed on Friday from Crewe until January 6, but was not involved in Saturday’s home win over Exeter.

Striker George Donnelly is still struggling with the ankle problem that has kept him out of the last five games, but Hill has no new injury or suspension worries.

Midfielders Basien Hery, Matty Done, Gary Dicker and Peter Vincenti, plus striker Joe Bunney are all in contention for recalls as Dale bid for a third straight league win.

Scunthorpe caretaker-managers Russ Wilcox and Tony Daws could include new loan signing Andrew Boyce in their squad for the game at Rochdale.

Boyce signed on an initial loan deal from Lincoln on Friday but did not feature at Portsmouth where Wilcox and Daws steered Scunthorpe to victory in their first game in charge.

Defender Eddie Nolan is hoping to play a bigger role after recovering from a hamstring injury. He returned to action as a late substitute for the first time since September at the weekend.

Midfielder Matt Sparrow remains sidelined with the ankle injury that has kept him out of the last three matches.

Rochdale v Scunthorpe preview

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Rochdale will be without suspended midfielder Nicky Adams.

Adams received two yellow cards as Dale secured their first league win of the season on Saturday at derby rivals Bury.

Manager Steve Eyre may opt to switch his formation for the return to Spotland and has fellow midfielders Brian Barry-Murphy, yet to start a game this season following a knee injury, and Jason Kennedy available after they both stepped off the bench at the weekend.

Another midfielder, Joe Thompson, has been sidelined with a thigh strain and although he has returned to full training he will not be included in the squad.

Winger Simon Hackney remains a long-term absentee with an abdominal muscle injury.

Scunthorpe boss Alan Knill will have to do without Andy Barcham.

The striker was given a straight red card in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield United and will serve the first of his three-game suspension.

However, the return of fellow forward Bobby Grant from a one-game ban should compensate for that loss.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, on loan from Manchester United, will retain his place after making his debut on Saturday.

But midfielder Michael Collins will again miss out with an Achilles injury, as will Jordan Robertson (ankle), Matty Godden (groin) and long-term absentee, skipper Cliff Byrne (back).

Central defender Michael Nelson may return to the match-day squad after being dropped at the weekend.