Rochdale v Rotherham preview
Last Updated: December 31, 2012 10:21am
Coleman: More of the same
Team news ahead of the New Year's Day clash between Rochdale and Rotherham at Spotland Stadium.
John Coleman could name an unchanged side as Rochdale chase back-to-back League Two wins for the first time since September.
Dale were in irresistible form at the weekend, completing the scoring before half-time in a 4-2 triumph at Bradford.
Terry Gornell bagged a brace on his return from suspension and is set to continue in attack alongside Bobby Grant and Ashley Grimes, with the latter also getting among the goals to extend a current purple patch to five in four matches.
The entertainment on offer from Rochdale at the moment will still be a slight concern for Coleman, with 19 goals conceded to 17 scored in the past seven matches.
Coleman watched his side come out on the right end of a five-goal thriller against Rotherham earlier this season when they triumphed 3-2 at the New York Stadium in September.
Midfielder Reece Gray is continuing his rehabilitation from a badly-broken leg.
Rotherham striker Daniel Nardiello is expected to return to the starting line-up at Rochdale following his double against Accrington on Saturday.
Nardiello was dropped to the substitutes' bench against Accrington, but was introduced early in the second half and quickly scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season in the Millers' 4-1 win.
Manager Steve Evans said he opted to start with Nardiello and midfielder Ben Pringle on the bench because of their lacklustre displays in the Boxing Day defeat to Port Vale. Pringle was an unused substitute on Saturday.
Skipper Ian Sharps, who has spent the last two games as an unused replacement following his return from suspension, is pushing for a recall.
Midfielders Dale Tonge (ankle/knee), David Noble (ankle) and Lionel Ainsworth (shoulder) are not ready, but hope to appear in a reserve-team game next week.
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 |
