Dale hit by injury crisis

Photo: Daniel Youngs

Chris Dagnall celebrated a fifth goal of the season against Torquay last Saturday but the striker could miss tomorrow's trip to Northampton.

Going into this Saturday's game against Northampton everything appeared fine for Keith Hill's men and that the manager would have a full squad to choose from as he goes in search of another three points.

Wind the clock on 24 hours and news coming out of Spotland is that the Dale strikeforce is rated 50/50 at best to play any part in the game at Sixfields.

Chris Dagnall and Chris O'Grady are both in the treatment room with knocks so Hill could be forced to change his forward line completely ahead of Saturday's encounter.

Adam Rundle has also been sidelined after picking up a knock playing for the reserves in midweek, although the winger has not started either of the last two games and his absence would be less of a blow to Hill's plans.

If Dale are forced to do without their main strike duo Hill does have options to change things up top. Wingers Joe Thompson and Will Buckley have both played as strikers at times this season, while Scott Spencer scored a brace for the reserves in their 4-1 win over Preston and could step up to the plate following a couple of substitute appearances so far in his short Dale career.

Visit Rochdale Online over the course of the weekend for team news, half-time and full-time match reports, and action photographs.