THE MANAGER

Keith Hill took charge in January last year replacing Steve Parkin.

As a centre-half, Hill played for Rochdale for five seasons and also represented Blackburn, Plymouth, Cheltenham and Morecambe.

He was working as Dale's director of youth development before becoming first caretaker boss and then permanent manager.

THE PLAYERS

(Squad numbers in brackets)

On-loan Macclesfield goalkeeper Tommy Lee (32) (ex-Manchester United) should play on Saturday unless he is recalled by The Silkmen. He joined last week after Sam Russell (21) (ex-Middlesbrough and Darlington) was ruled out for the rest of the season. James Spencer (1) (ex-Stockport) is also sidelined with a groin injury so youngster Lloyd Rigby (13) could be on the bench.

Right-back Simon Ramsden (2) (ex-Sunderland and Grimsby) should line up in defence today with former right-back and now centre-half Nathan Stanton (4) (ex-Scunthorpe), who had eight years with The Iron, and two men who have each only missed two League games this season - Tom Kennedy (3) (ex-Bury), nephew of ex-Liverpool left-back Alan and son of former Bury player Keith, and Northern Ireland under-21 international Rory McArdle (23) (ex-Sheffield Wednesday).

Marcus Holness (31) (ex-Oldham) and on-loan Bolton player Chris Basham (17) are probable substitutes while other defenders in the squad are Nathan D'Laryea (12) (ex-Manchester City) and youngster Raphale Evans (20).

Dale's record all-time appearance-maker Gary Jones (8) (ex-Caernarfon, Swansea and Barnsley), who beat Graham Smith's 34-year record with his 346^th game for the club, in his second spell, at Mansfield earlier this month should be in central midfield with David Perkins (16) (ex-Morecambe), who can also play at left-back. Right-winger Ben Muirhead (7) (ex-Manchester United and Bradford), and left-winger Adam Rundle (11) (ex-Darlington, Carlisle, Dublin City and Mansfield) should be alongside them.

Experienced John Doolan (5) (ex-Everton, Mansfield, Barnet, Doncaster and Blackpool), and ex-trainee Joe Thompson (15) will be competing for places on the bench.

Adam Le Fondre (10) (ex-Stockport), who has been involved in every League and Cup game this season, and on-loan Peterborough player Rene Howe (24) (ex-Kettering), formed the forward line in the two Easter games, but could be pushed for a starting place by Monday's hat-trick hero Chris Dagnall (9) (ex-Tranmere) and ex-Bee Lee Thorpe (19) (ex-Blackpool, Lincoln, Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers, Swansea and Torquay), who left us for Spotland in January.

Youngster Kallum Higginbotham (18) is currently sidelined.

IAN WESTBROOK