Southend v Rochdale preview
Last Updated: November 23, 2012 2:36pm
Bobby Grant: Set to start for Rochdale
Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Southend and Rochdale at Roots Hall.
Paul Sturrock could well name an unchanged starting XI for the fifth successive match as Southend aim to record a third victory in a row.
The Shrimpers have racked up away wins at Bristol Rovers, Torquay and AFC Wimbledon as well as a home draw against Port Vale since Sturrock last made changes to his line-up.
Tuesday's 4-0 success at AFC Wimbledon will give him no reason to change things around as the Shrimpers aim to replicate their away form at Roots Hall, where they have won just three of nine league fixtures this season.
Sturrock is not expected to have any fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with, and is boosted by the arrival of midfielder Scott Donnelly who could make his debut.
Eighth-placed Southend go into the encounter two places and one point behind visiting Rochdale.
Rochdale have no new injury or suspension problems.
Long-term injury absentees Reece Gray and Matt Edwards are the only ones missing for manager John Coleman.
Forward Gray suffered a dislocated ankle, a fractured fibula and a snapped medial ligament during a behind-closed-doors friendly back in August, while goalkeeper Edwards has undergone surgery on a broken wrist.
But Coleman can call on every other member of his squad as Dale look to extend their unbeaten league run to six games.
Forward Bobby Grant returned from suspension last weekend to score the winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers and is set to continue in attack.
Rochdale go into the game sixth in the table, one point ahead of the eighth-placed Shrimpers.
Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
