Northampton v Rochdale preview
Last Updated: February 8, 2013 11:42am
John Johnson: In contention for Cobblers
Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Northampton Town and Rochdale at Sixfields.
John Johnson could return to action for Northampton.
Full-back Johnson, who has been an unused substitute recently after several weeks out with a knee injury, played 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors practice match this week.
Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd told the media: "John is fit but he's still got some work to do behind the scenes.
"We want to get as many games in for him as we can but he might even be able to build up his match fitness by playing in the first team.
"I wouldn't say that we've missed him because Ben Tozer has been absolutely outstanding, but having Jonno back gives me different options."
Recent signing Roy O'Donovan made his debut as a half-time substitute during the 3-1 defeat at Rotherham last Saturday and the striker could be in line to make his home bow.
O'Donovan, like Johnson, played in the behind-closed-doors game at Stoke on Tuesday afternoon to build up his fitness.
Meanwhile, Boothroyd is keen to sign versatile defender Lee Collins, who has been training with the club, but a deal is unlikely to materialise before the weekend.
Rochdale will be without Bobby Grant as the forward begins a four-match ban.
Grant scored a superb equaliser in Dale's 1-1 draw with Chesterfield last weekend, only to collect his second red card of the season in the closing stages for a late lunge on Sam Togwell.
Terry Gornell may be an option for boss Keith Hill in Grant's absence, but the former Shrewsbury man must recover from a dead-leg he sustained in the goalless draw at Cheltenham a fortnight ago and ruled him out of contention to face the Spireites.
Defender Peter Cavanagh was also absent last week due to a calf strain and will be assessed before the trip.
It is five games since Rochdale tasted victory, with Hill having stopped the rot of three consecutive defeats thanks to back-to-back draws since returning to Spotland as John Coleman's successor.
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 |
