Lincoln v Rochdale Preview

Rochdale are back on the road this Saturday (3pm) following the postponement of their home fixture against Barnet in midweek. They travel to Lincoln for their fifth away game in six matches thanks to games being called off at Spotland. Captain Gary Jones is set make his 300th league appearance for the club as Rochdale seek to get back to winning ways following defeat to Peterborough last week.

The club apologised to Barnet fans in the week for the postponement of the game just a couple of hours before kick off and groundsman Phil Collinson will be glad that both the football and rugby teams are away from home this weekend as he prepares the pitch for Rochdale’s home game against Hereford on Tuesday night.

Dale boss Keith Hill strengthened his squad during the week with the loan acquisition of Bolton’s Chris Basham. The 19-year-old midfield player is expected to be in the squad for the trip to Lincoln for the first game of a three month loan deal. He has featured for Bolton’s reserves this season but has not broken into the first team of the Premiership side.

Rochdale have a full complement of players going into the fixture, aside from long term absentee Chris Dagnall, and Rory McArdle is expected to play after travelling to Israel in midweek to captain Northern Ireland’s Under-21 side to a 2-1 defeat.

Keith Hill might well be glad to get his side back on the road. Home form has been inconsistent and it has been there away form, having not lost on their travels since the opening day of the season and won their last four away games, that has pushed them to the verge of the play-offs.

However, Lincoln have enjoyed a good run in their bid to move away from the bottom end of the League Two table and Rochdale are unlikely to brush them aside as easily as they did Chester in their last away fixture. Peter Jackson’s side won 2-1 at fellow strugglers Macclesfield in midweek and have won four of their last six matches.

That run started with a 2-0 win against Rochdale at Spotland early last month when late goals from Jamie Forrester and Lee Frecklington secured a 2-0 victory.

Lincoln midfielder Lee Frecklington faces a race against time to be fit in time for game following an ankle injury, while defender Paul Green will miss the match through suspension.

Dany N’Guessan boosted his claims for a place in the starting eleven by scoring the winner in the win at Macclesfield on Tuesday.

Results to Watch

Victory for Rochdale could move them into the playoff spots if Chesterfield fail to get anything from their visit to Grimsby. They could go to 6th if Wycombe also struggle at home to Mansfield.

A Dale defeat could see them overtaken by Morecambe and Stockport, who play Macclesfield and Notts County at home respectively.