Hill could shuffle pack for Torquay game

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Scott Wiseman could return to the Dale side tomorrow.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill will be hoping to kick-start his side's season with victory at home to Torquay tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 12 September, kick off 3pm).

Dale are looking to build on last Friday's remarkable comeback from three goals down at Morecambe and Hill could make changes to his starting line-up to push Dale away from midtable and towards the business end of the League Two table.

The Dale boss has no new injury problems to worry about but certainly has a selection headache going into tomorrow's game. With Dale 3-0 down at the break at Morecambe Hill brought on Scott Wiseman and Kallum Higginbotham at half time in place of Matt Flynn and Chris O'Grady. Both could start tomorrow after helping Dale earn a point at Christie Park.

Joe Thompson was pushed into a striking role during the second half and excelled alongside Chris Dagnall, scoring Dale's second and creating numerous other chances. He could find himself up front from the start tomorrow afternoon in place of O'Grady.

There are question marks over who will start in the defence. Wiseman looks set to return to the starting line-up but will Hill keep the faith with young centre-halves Craig Dawson and Marcus Holness? The pair had been rock solid before Friday night, but conceded soft goals in the first half against Morecambe, which could pave the way for a return to the side for Nathan Stanton.

Gary Jones and Jason Kennedy are set to continue a flourishing partnership in the centre of the Dale midfield. Jones was clearly suffering the after-affects of a virus during the Morecambe game and was replaced by Dale Stephens, who put in a fine performance and of course scored the memorable equalising goal. Stephens' performance makes him a serious contender for a starting place but Hill is unlikely to drop his captain now that he has fully recovered from illness.

Torquay travel to Spotland with just two wins to their name this season. Reports from the south coast suggest that the Gulls have been somewhat unfortunate in front of goal so far and that performances have not mirrored results.

This will be the first game between the two sides in three seasons following Torquay's two year spell in the Conference. It's been six years since the Gulls beat Dale at Spotland.

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