Aldershot V Rochdale at The EBB Stadium at the Recreation Ground : Match Preview

14 December 2012 16:31
Aldershot V Rochdale - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Shots are fresh

Aldershot have no new selection issues as they welcome Rochdale to the EBB Stadium.

But boss Dean Holdsworth could shake up his starting XI after substitute Adam Mekki came off the bench to net the equaliser during the 1-1 draw at Oxford last time out.

The 22-year-old midfielder has only made two substitute appearances since the end of October due to injury but impressed Holdsworth with his match-saving performance and could be handed a start as the Shots look to pull away from the drop zone.

Top scorer Craig Reid is also pushing to return to the team, after being named on the bench at Oxford.

Goalkeeper Ross Worner has joined Blue Square Bet South side Eastbourne Borough on a one-month loan deal as he looks to regain match fitness following a long term back injury that had kept him sidelined since February.

Rochdale will be without in-form striker Terry Gornell.

Gornell, who is on loan with Dale from npower League One side Shrewsbury, was dismissed in the closing stages of the 3-2 loss against Exeter for kicking out at Kevin Amankwaah.

The striker had already struck a brace, taking his tally to three in as many games, to give his side hope in that contest after extending his stay at Spotland until January just 24 hours before kick-off.

However, Dale boss John Coleman must now consider alternative options up front with Dele Adebola, an unused substitute against the Grecians, perhaps primed for a start.

There is better news elsewhere for Coleman, though, as defender Kevin McIntyre returns from a one-game suspension having accrued five cautions.

Midfielder Reece Gray has continued with his light training but is still some way off returning from his broken leg.

Source: PA