Hill hopes cup exit will not influence January sales

Dale were forced to sell Glenn Murray last January, leaving the club short of attacking options.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill hopes that Saturday's shock cup exit to Forest Green Rovers will not force his hand during the January transfer window.

Last January Dale were forced to sell star striker Glenn Murray, a move that left the Dale boss reeling, but he expects to keep his squad together this term and is expected to speak to the chairman this week about the club's transfer window prospects.

Speaking exclusively to Rochdale Online following the 2-0 defeat, Hill said: "The chairman has been absolutely superb and he lets us get on with the job; we ask the question and if he says no he says no and if he says yes he says yes.

"We have got an excellent working relationship with the board of directors, the chairman and the chief executive and it has worked well so far.

"I would not expect to have to sell any players but if we have to sell players in January to get players in, that might be an alternative and we will probably speak about that some time this week."

The Dale boss has already strengthened his squad ahead of the window with the loan signing of Lee McEvilly, who comes to the club for the third time in his career and is expected to complete a permanent move when the window re-opens.

The striker was unavailable for Saturday's cup clash after playing in the competition for Cambridge in an earlier round but he should be in the squad for Dale's tough league encounter at Darlington on Saturday.