Rochdale vs Shrewsbury preview
Friday 8 March 2019 12:50, UK
First-team coach Brian Barry-Murphy takes caretaker charge of Rochdale against Shrewsbury after the sacking of Keith Hill.
Midfielder Ethan Hamilton is suspended but defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell returns from a ban. Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has extended his emergency loan another for week with Josh Lillis (calf) still a couple of weeks away from fitness.
Midfielder Ollie Rathbone and defender Kgosi Ntlhe both played for the under-18s in midweek after groin and knee injuries respectively and could come into contention, however Zach Clough is doubtful with an on-going groin problem.
Shrewsbury goalkeeper Steve Arnold's arm injury will be assessed after he was forced off late in Saturday's goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon. Jonathan Mitchell, on loan from Derby, is on standby to start having replaced Arnold for the final seven minutes at the weekend.
Anthony Grant serves the final match of a two-game suspension while Dave Edwards could retain his place after making his first start since returning to the club in January after a 12-year absence. Fellow midfielder Romain Vincelot is making progress from a knee injury which has kept him out for nearly a month, but the French veteran is not ready to return just yet.
Opta stats
The side playing at home has won each of the last seven league meetings between Rochdale and Shrewsbury (three Rochdale wins, four Shrewsbury) since the Dale won 1-0 at New Meadow in March 2010.
Shrewsbury won 3-2 in their reverse meeting with Rochdale in November 2018; they have never previously done a double over the Dale in the Football League.
This will be Rochdale's first match without Keith Hill in charge since January 2013, when they lost 1-2 to Dagenham & Redbridge in League Two under John Coleman.
Shrewsbury are unbeaten in five league matches (W2 D3 L0), their best run since March 2018 (six unbeaten).
Rochdale have conceded 74 league goals this season, 14 more than any other League One side and 29 more than opponents Shrewsbury have conceded (45).
