Hill may rest youngsters for Darlington clash

Rochdale manager Keith Hill has hinted that he may give some of his younger first team players a rest ahead of tonight's key clash with promotion rivals Darlington.

The Dale boss is unlikely to change his back five despite an off day against Brentford on Saturday, with the changes more likely to come in attacking positions.

Joe Thompson and Will Buckley are the most obvious 'youngsters' in the line-up but with Adam Rundle, Lee McEvilly, Adam Le Fondre and Lee Thorpe all chomping at the bit for a place, a number of options are available to Hill. Clark Keltie also came off the bench on Saturday and will be eager to play a part against the club that he left to join Dale in the summer.

Dale can bolster their play-off credentials with a win at the Darlington Arena and will find themselves just about below the automatic spots with a game in hand if they can record a victory.

Getting the three points will be no easy task with Darlington having recorded three wins in their last four games. The home side are set to remain unchanged from their 1-0 victory over Grimsby at the weekend. A win tonight will see the North East club leap above Dale in the table.

Anyone that can not make it to the game tonight will be kept fully up to date on Rochdale Online. Check back for team news, half time and full time match reports and match photographs later this evening.