Rochdale vs Southend preview
Friday 26 April 2019 14:24, UK
Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy will check on the fitness of Kgosietsile Ntlhe and Ryan McLaughlin ahead of Saturday's match against Southend.
The defenders both missed Monday's 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers through injury. Matt Done and Oliver Rathbone could return to the starting line-up after dropping to the bench at the Memorial Stadium.
Monday's win lifted Rochdale five points above the drop zone with two games to play, significantly reducing the pressure on Barry-Murphy's men.
Southend, who remain just one point above trouble, could be unchanged for a third game on the trot after a 3-2 win over Burton - their first victory since January. Rob Kiernan was substituted at half-time last week but is fit to feature.
Harry Lennon and Stephen Humphrys are being assessed after sitting out the Easter fixtures with knocks, and Kevin Bond has indicated he would rather not play Humphrys unless he feels he has to in the relegation battle. Jason Demetriou remains out after knee surgery.
Opta stats
Rochdale have lost just one of their last seven home league games against Southend (W4 D2) and are unbeaten in their last three (W2 D1).
Southend have managed just one victory in their last seven encounters with Rochdale (D3 L3), a 2-1 win at Roots Hall in January 2017.
Rochdale have scored exactly one goal in each of their last six league games (W3 D1 L2), keeping clean sheets in three of their last four.
Southend ended a 15-game winless streak in the league with a 3-2 victory against Burton last time out - the Shrimpers last won back-to-back League One matches in October 2018 (run of three).
Simon Cox has been directly involved in three of Southend's last four goals in League One (1 goal , 2 assists).
