All smiles for Hill
Rochdale manager Keith Hill has a fully-fit first-team squad to choose from for his side's opening-day fixture against Hartlepool.
Hill drafted in 10 new players to Spotland during the close season, while the same number of players left the club, and has plenty of options for the game at Spotland.
Key players Bobby Grant and Jason Kennedy departed to Blackpool and Bradford respectively this summer, but the likes of former Barnsley winger Matt Done, ex-Stoke midfielder Matty Lund and Bastien Hery, from Sheffield Wednesday, are expected to start in a new-look Rochdale line-up.
Former Aldershot utility man Peter Vincenti and striker Scott Hogan, signed from Hyde, have also impressed during pre-season friendlies and are expected to make their competitive debuts.
Hartlepool manager Colin Cooper is expected to hand his only summer signing Jack Compton his debut.
Winger Compton teamed back up with Cooper following his release from Colchester - the pair worked together at Bradford - and is likely to be handed a starting role.
Cooper, who replaced former boss John Hughes at Victoria Park in May, has virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from with his only doubts being veteran Steve Howard, who is struggling for match fitness, and fellow striker Zak Boagey, who hopes to shake off a groin problem.
Howard will undergo a late fitness test as relegated Pools look to put last season's disappointment quickly behind them.
Source: PA
