Rochdale v MK Dons preview
Last Updated: April 27, 2012 1:28pm
Powell: Serves a one-match ban
Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Rochdale and MK Dons at Spotland.
Rochdale manager John Coleman may look to shuffle his pack.
Dale's relegation back to League Two was confirmed by last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Chesterfield, and changes are expected after Coleman this week revealed his plans to overhaul the Spotland squad in the close season.
Kevin Long (Achilles) and Stephen Darby (heel) returned in defence against the Spireites following injury lay-offs, although 18-year-old full-back Sam Miniham is pushing for a recall to face Karl Robinson's side.
Skipper Gary Jones was back in the starting line-up at the b2net Stadium following reports of a bust-up with Coleman and assistant Jimmy Ryan and he could be joined in midfield by Simon Hackney.
Former Carlisle and Colchester man Hackney joined Rochdale on a free transfer in the summer but is yet to make his debut having missed the majority of the campaign with an on-going abdominal complaint.
Daniel Powell will miss MK Dons' final away game of the season through suspension.
Powell was sent off for two bookable offences midway through the second half of the 1-0 home win over automatic promotion chasers Sheffield United last weekend. He will serve a one-match ban.
James O'Shea or Luke Chadwick could replace Powell in midfield while, with just 15 first-team players available, manager Karl Robinson could even consider giving teenager Brendan Galloway his full debut.
The 16-year-old Zimbabwean is almost certain to be at least on the bench.
On-loan Celtic midfielder Paul Slane is back at his parent club receiving treatment for an ankle injury and defender Mathias Kouo-Doumbe will remain absent with the groin problem that has plagued him for the last month.
The Dons have already secured a place in the play-offs, where they will meet Huddersfield. Robinson wants his side to finish fourth in the table, the position they currently hold, so that they are at home in the second leg of the semi-final play-off.
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 |
