Bradford City vs Rochdale. Sky Bet League One.
University of Bradford StadiumAttendance15,875.
Friday 19 October 2018 11:58, UK
Bradford midfielder Hope Akpan is back in training but Saturday's game against Rochdale comes too soon.
The 27-year-old has been out for six weeks with a dislocated shoulder suffered on boss David Hopkin's first day with the Bantams. Hopkin said: "Players are coming back but they are going to take weeks to get fit. They've been out for so long. You can't push people or they will break down again and you'll be back to square one. But he is looking good."
Adam Chicksen and Jim O'Brien remain sidelined, but striker Alex Jones - back after 11 months out due to ankle surgery - will hope to get some more game time following a brief Checkatrade Trophy outing.
Ryan Delaney should be back to bolster Rochdale. The 22-year-old defender has been on international duty with Republic of Ireland Under-21s.
Kgosi Ntlhe replaced Delaney, was named captain and scored on his first league appearance in over a month and he could keep his place. Goalkeeper Magnus Norman serves the final game of his three-match ban.
Bradford have won three and drawn three of their last six league matches against Rochdale, since a 2-1 defeat in January 2015.
Rochdale have lost their last two League One visits to Valley Parade against Bradford, conceding four goals in each game (0-4 in 2016-17, 3-4 in 2017-18).
Bradford City are winless in four home league games (D1 L3), they haven't failed to win in five consecutive home league games since a run of 10 in February 2014.
Rochdale have scored in each of their last 12 league games away from home, their longest such run since a run of 17 ending in January 2013.
Ian Henderson has been directly involved in nine goals for Rochdale in League One this season (seven goals, two assists), more than twice as many as any other player at the club.
