Bury v Rochdale preview
Monday 2 April 2018 19:09, UK
James Hanson is a doubt for Bury's clash with neighbours Rochdale in League One.
The striker was unable to make the squad for Friday's 2-1 loss to Bristol Rovers due to a rib injury and the quick turnaround may work against him.
That could mean boss Ryan Lowe names himself on the bench again having made his first appearance in nearly three months against the Pirates. Jermaine Beckford (knee), Craig Jones (thigh) and Eoghan O'Connell (ligaments) are all missing.
Kgosi Ntlhe is unlikely to keep his place in the Rochdale starting XI. The defender was hauled off five minutes before half-time in Friday's 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury in a tactical move that paid dividends as Keith Hill's men came from behind to win.
Andy Cannon (fractured cheekbone), Niall Canavan (ankle) and Keith Keane (groin) remain sidelined. Bury are the only side beneath Rochdale in the table and victory for Dale would move them 11 points clear of the basement dwellers.
Opta stats
In all competitions, Bury have failed to score in any of their last five meetings with Rochdale, drawing one and losing four.
Indeed, Rochdale have already won at Gigg Lane this season, beating Bury 4-0 in an EFL Trophy match in September.
Bury have failed to score in 11 of their 20 home league games this season - no team has failed to score in more.
The Dale have picked up seven points from a possible nine in their last three games on the road (W2 D1), as many as in their previous 14 away league games.
