Fears Lee Thorpe's season may be over

Lee Thorpe was injured in this clash with Grimsby's goalkeeper

Rochdale striker Lee Thorpe's season could be over even if Rochdale make it to the end of season play-offs. The striker started consecutive games for the club after coming off the bench to score at Brentford but he left the ground on crutches on Saturday after being substituted.

It was reported that he had suffered a severe dead leg in a collision with Grimsby goalkeeper Phil Barnes. The club later discovered that Thorpe had burst a blood vessel in his leg.

Assistant manager Dave Flitcroft said: “It could be a major blow to us. He has come back energised and totally focussed on the job. He hadn’t played much football this season and extending into the play-offs would have been an absolute blessing for him. He possibly now won’t get that chance and we will know more towards the middle of this week as the injury settles down.”

Flitcroft said that the management team would be keeping Thorpe around the dressing room to help lead Dale’s younger players towards the end of season showdown.

Another player missing in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Grimsby was Chris Dagnall but he was only suffering from a slight illness and took up a place on the Dale substitute’s bench in the win over Notts County last night. Keith Hill was all set to bring the striker on but after Dale hit two goals in quick succession, Hill decided not to risk bringing Dagnall on.

In further injury news goalkeeper James Spencer has come through an operation on his groin.

Flitcroft said: “The pain that he was feeling before the operation has gone now so what we have to do is really strengthen his core strength in the affected area. He will be working with the physio and has been given a programme to work to for the next three or four weeks.

“Given the time scales involved it is touch and go as to whether James will be available to us before the end of the season.”