Flitcroft aiming for next round - Rochdale vs Oldham match preview

The Dale players celebrate their goal against Shrewsbury at the end of last season by holding up a shirt in tribute to David Flitcroft's father.

Rochdale assistant manager Dave Flitcroft says that the players will be fully focussed on getting Dale into the next round of the Carling Cup once the emotional tributes have been paid to ex-midfielder Ernie Cooksey, who died earlier this summer.

Ernie's partner and baby daughter will be at the game with family and friends to hear a minute's applause dedicated to Ernie's life and Flitcroft knows the importance of hearing the tributes from supporters after his father passed away during the middle of last season.

The assistant boss told the club's official website: "It is very similar to what I had towards the end of last season when my family got a lot out of the fact that so many people turned out as a mark of respect to my Dad. It will hold a lot of memories for me.

"Ernie will be at the front of everyone's mind and there will then be a game of football after that.

"I went to Hilly's [Keith Hill] house on Sunday and all we talked about was how we attempt to get into the next round of the Carling Cup. Once the Ernie tributes are over all the players will be keyed in. As with any other game we go into it with the no fear approach."

Keith Hill could make changes to a strikeforce that misfired on Saturday, with the small-man combination of Adam Le Fondre and Chris Dagnall unable to break the deadlock in the goaless draw at Grimsby.

That could pave the way for one of Dale's taller front men to partner either Dagnall or Le Fondre up top. Lee Thorpe was given the last ten minutes at Grimsby, while Jon Shaw missed the game because of a minor injury. It is not known whether Shaw will be fit to play this evening.

Other than the striker debate Dale are likely to remain with the same side that took to the field at Grimsby, although Kallum Higginbotham, who impressed in a late cameo, could start ahead of Scott Wiseman on the right side of midfield.

Meanwhile Oldham boss John Sheridan could make changes to encorporate some of the substitutions that somehow helped turned a 3-1 defeat into a 4-3 win over Millwall at the weekend. Lee Hughes, Lewis Alessandra and Danny Whitaker all came on to turn the game in Latics favour and all could start at Spotland tonight.

Sheridan could rotate his squad further by giving second choice keeper Greg Fleming a start and bringing Kelvin Lomax, who spent part of last season on loan at Dale, into the side in place of Stefan Stam.

The game is the first competitive fixture between Rochdale and Oldham since 1974. Kick off is 7.45pm and admission into the ground for Dale fans is £15 (£10 concessions) in seated areas or £10 (£8) on the Sandy Lane Terrace.

Rochdale Online will have a full match report and photographs online immediately after the final whistle.