Skipper returns for crucial clashes

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Gary Jones

Rochdale captain Gary Jones has returned to first team training following two months on the sidelines with a groin injury and now the influential midfield player wants to help his team back to winning ways; starting this Saturday at Luton.

Dale only need a point from their remaining two league games to book a place in the end of season play-offs, after defeat to Darlington Saturday all but ended their hopes of automatic promotion.

Now Jones wants to take his team back to Wembley, for the second season in succession, only this time without suffering the heartache of a play-off final defeat.

Jones joined in first team training today and is hoping to make his return to the side during this Saturday's trip to Kenilworth Road, which will be Luton's last home game in the football league before they are relegated to the conference.

The play-off picture could be made clearer tonight with a number of key games taking place in the division. Dagenham & Redbridge host league leaders Brentford and a win for the home side would move them to within four points of Rochdale, while a win for Morecambe at Rotherham would also leave them just four points adrift.

Realistically those two sides are competing with Shrewsbury, Chesterfield and outsiders Bradford for the final play-off position but if Dale can't get a point from their last two games they could miss out.