Doncaster Rovers vs Rochdale. Sky Bet League One.
The Keepmoat StadiumAttendance7,997.
Thursday 28 December 2017 15:14, UK
Doncaster winger Matty Blair is pushing to start the Sky Bet League One clash at home to Rochdale on Friday evening.
Blair, who has been struggling with a groin injury, came off the bench against Northampton on Boxing Day for the final half-hour and impressed.
Defender Craig Alcock is also hoping for a place in the starting XI against Dale after being an unused substitute for the last two games following a calf problem.
James Coppinger, who has recently had a groin injury, could drop to the bench despite scoring in a 90-minute showing against the Cobblers last time out.
Rochdale boss Keith Hill may shuffle his pack again for his side's third match in seven days.
A combination of illness and injury kept Jim McNulty, Calvin Andrew and Joe Rafferty out of Dale's defeat by Blackburn on Boxing Day and Hill must wait and see whether any of the trio are available.
Joe Thompson has made two substitute appearances since his second successful round of cancer treatment and could come into contention for a starting place.
Dale, who sit 23rd in the table, are in desperate need of points after four games without a win.
Doncaster have gone four league matches without a victory against Rochdale (D2 L2) having previously gone three unbeaten against the Dale (W2 D1).
Rochdale last failed to score against Doncaster in a Football League match back in March 1997 (3-0 away defeat).
No League One side has lost more points from winning positions than Rochdale so far this season (17).
Donny have lost just one of their last seven league matches at the Keepmoat Stadium (W4 D2), after failing to win any of their previous seven (D3 L4).
