Accrington v Rochdale preview

Accrington v Rochdale preview

Published Oct. 5, 2012 9:16 a.m. ET

Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Accrington Stanley and Rochdale at the Crown Ground.

Accrington manager Paul Cook has no new injury problems.

Coleman managed Stanley for 13 seasons before leaving to take the reins at Spotland in January, clearing the way for Cook to take charge having previously worked under the outgoing boss.

James Gray is back in contention following illness and the forward could contest a place on the substitutes' bench.

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Defender Michael Liddle must serve the final game of a three-match suspension for his sending off against Chesterfield, while midfielder Charlie Barnett remains out with an ankle problem.

Danny Schofield comes back into Cook's plans. The Rotherham loanee would have missed out on midweek action against his parent club before heavy downpours ahead of kick-off lead to the match being postponed.

Rochdale winger Bobby Grant will miss out on the trip to face his former club.

Grant, who started his career at the Crown Ground and returned on loan from Scunthorpe last year, was sent off for a rash challenge in Tuesday night's goalless draw with Bradford and begins a three-match ban.

The game is sure to be a poignant ocassion for Dale boss John Coleman, who managed Accrington for 13 seasons before moving to Spotland along with long-serving assistant Jimmy Bell in January.

Captain Peter Cavanagh remains a doubt as he attempts to overcome a nagging calf problem.

Kevin McIntyre - another former Stanley man along with Cavanagh - returned from suspension in midweek and is expected to keep his place in midfield.

Goalkeeper Matt Edwards (wrist), and academy youngsters Reece Gray (broken leg) and Luke Watson (knee) remain long-term absentees.

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