Darlington v Rochdale preview

McClaren: Darlo training session

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Darlington have called on the experience of former England manager Steve McClaren as they prepare to tackle Rochdale in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final.

McClaren and Quakers boss Dave Penney were team-mates together at Oxford, with Penney inviting the ex-Boro manager to take a training session this week.

Darlo have endured a dismal run of form at the end of the season and slipped out of the automation promotion race to end the season in sixth after winning just two of their final 12 games.

Rochdale, by contrast, finished the season in the manner usually associated with play-off contenders, with Keith Hill's men losing just one of their last 12.

Double boost

Penney is boosted by the return to fitness of striker Julian Joachim and defender Ryan Valentine ahead of the clash in the North East.

Joachim missed the last four games of the regular season with an ankle problem and Valentine has missed the last two with a knee injury, but the duo return to face Dale.

Penney will give goalkeeper David Stockdale (bruised foot) as long as possible to prove his fitness, with Przemyslaw Kazimierczak on hand to deputise if needed, while on-loan Ben Parker is available after returning from a one-match ban.

Striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu has overcome a groin strain but is lacking in match fitness, while defender Stephen Foster and Tommy Wright - who were both rested against Peterborough last weekend - will return.

Schoolboy striker Curtis Main could again be in the matchday squad, but it remains to be seen whether striker Pawel Abbott (hamstring) will feature again this season.

Stanton out

Rochdale boss Hill will again be missing defender Nathan Stanton through suspension.

Stanton serves the second match of a two-game ban and Marcus Holness and Nathan D'Laryea are competing to replace him.

Hill is missing three players through injury, with former Darlo goalkeeper Sam Russell (broken finger) and fellow shot-stopper James Spencer (hernia) still sidelined.

Striker Lee Thorpe also remains out of action due to a dead leg and Chris Dagnall and Adam Le Fondre are both hoping to be given the nod to partner on-loan Peterborough forward Rene Howe.