Brighton boss Gus Poyet admits David Lopez has become one of the first names on his teamsheet.
Spanish midfielder Lopez grabbed his fifth goal in 12 games as the Seagulls moved into the play-off places with a 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.
"He is a different player and I always try to play him," said Poyet. "He's calm, he hits the ball very well and he gives us a lot of options.
"His technical ability is at a very high standard. Because of his technical ability he scores some very important goals and he showed that again. He and Wayne Bridge were two of our best players. That's why David is playing."
Former Accrington forward Bobby Grant will miss out on the chance to face his old club as he serves the final game of a four-match ban.
Grant received his second red card of the season after scoring a fine equaliser during the 1-1 draw with Chesterfield earlier this month.
Peter Cavanagh, another ex-Stanley man, is a major doubt for boss Keith Hill having only returned to training on Monday from a troublesome calf complaint.
Dale midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy is relishing the prospect of a fiery derby atmosphere at Spotland.
"A lot of players say derby games are just another match but I always find they're quite a bit more exciting to play in and generally the atmosphere is better," he told his club's official website.
"There was a really good attendance at our last home game and everyone was delighted with that. I thought the atmosphere at the Torquay game was fantastic and hopefully that will be replicated on Tuesday night, and we can put on a performance to send them away happy again."
Accrington have midfielder Charlie Barnett available after the midfielder completed a three-game ban.
Barnett will be the only addition to boss Leam Richardson's squad, which remains without goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin (shoulder) and utility man Craig Lindfield (ankle).
Former Blackburn midfielder Amine Linganzi made his Stanley debut from the bench during Saturday's entertaining 2-2 draw with high-flying Cheltenham and is expected to be involved once more.
The Reds remain in the League Two relegation zone thanks to AFC Wimbledon's weekend win over Barnet.
Richardson is relishing the chance to pick up vital points in a derby encounter against a Rochdale side boasting a few familiar faces following John Coleman's time in charge at Spotland.
"It's an attractive game," Richardson said. "Local derbies are always attractive for the teams, the fans and the neutrals."
