Dale could miss skipper for Grimsby clash

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Gary Jones is forced off alongside Dale physio Andy Thorpe in Tuesday night's game at Darlington.

Rochdale captain Gary Jones may miss out on tomorrow's clash against Grimsby as Dale go in search of three points against struggling opponents.

Jones hobbled off at the end of the first half in Dale's win at Darlington on Tuesday and the groin injury he picked up in an inoccuous looking challenge could keep him out of the game at Spotland.

Manager Keith Hill is eager to get his skipper back in action as soon as possible. "It is important that we get him back fit," said the Dale boss. "He is our leader. I trust him and he is one of the players that will definitely give us success at this club."

If the game does come too soon for Jones, Hill is likely to field Clark Keltie, who replaced Jones to play against his former club in midweek, with Simon Ramsden likely to get another start at centre half after Rory McArdle picked up a knock in training and Ramsden deputised solidly at Darlington.

In the dugouts the Dale manager will come face to face with a former team mate in the shape of Grimsby manager Mike Newall, and despite Grimsby's plight towards the bottom of League Two, Hill knows that the former Blackburn striker will have his men ready for the challenge.

"He's a good manager. In his early days at Luton he was absolutely superb and I thinking he was touted round for some big jobs but he did not leave and then it turned a bit sour.

"That's what we have got to be a little bit careful of in football, as a manager and as players.

"He has got his hands full at Grimsby. Prior to him taking over Alan Buckley had problems there but Mike is making a fist of it and I am sure he will give everything he possibly can to beat us."

Hill singled the Rochdale supporters for special praise after Tuesday night's win and he hopes that the home fans can help cheer his side to another promotion-chasing three points at Spotland tomorrow.

"The fans deserved some recognition at Darlington," Hill said. "They turned up in their numbers again. It is difficult to do from a financial point of view and a travel point of view. A lot of them must have taken time off work and they need to be applauded and I'm glad the players applaud them.

"It would be nice if we could turn the home support to give 100% backing for the players. It's amazing the things they say can creep onto the pitch and into the players' psyche and so can the positivity. The fans can be the 12th man and we fully expect them to be.

"The fans are part of this club and part of our success and long may that continue."