Bury v Rochdale preview
Last Updated: September 9, 2011 10:38am
Cullen: Passed fit for Bury
Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Bury and Rochdale at Gigg Lane.
Bury boss Richie Barker has on-loan Hull striker Mark Cullen available.
The rookie frontman has been nursing a tight hamstring but has been passed fit for selection.
Fellow forward Shaun Harrad is set to make his full debut after coming off the bench during last weekend's 4-0 defeat at Sheffield United.
Defender Mark Hughes and midfielder Steven Schumacher remain sidelined through injury but the Shakers have no suspension concerns as they seek to bounce back from last weekend's thumping.
Barker said: "What I have told my players now is to compete with the teams that are in our little mini-league. We need to take points from teams around about us in the table now."
Rochdale defender Pim Balkestein is expected to shake off a knock in time.
Balkestein, on loan from Brentford, was forced out of last week's defeat at Stevenage in the closing stages and replaced by Marcus Holness but should be fit to make his fourth consecutive start.
Midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy is hoping to make his first appearance of the season following a knee injury after returning to the bench last week.
Manager Steve Eyre has no new injury or suspension problems but winger Simon Hackney remains sidelined for at least another fortnight due to the abdominal injury that has delayed his start to the season following his summer switch from Colchester.
Eyre is hoping to secure his first league win since replacing former manager Keith Hill in the summer.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
