Rochdale V Accrington Stanley at Spotland Stadium : Match Preview

25 February 2013 18:01
Rochdale V Accrington Stanley - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Bobby not Granted Stanley reunion

Former Accrington forward Bobby Grant will miss out on the chance to face his old club with Rochdale as he serves the final game of a four-match ban.

Grant received a 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 looking forward to 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 following 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 npower League Two relegation zone due 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 told Press Association Sport. "Local derbies are always attractive for the teams, the fans and the neutrals."

Source: PA