| We're pretty much talking a full squad to choose from for Keith Hill which will be the first time that he can claim that since heading back to possibly January and February. John Doolan is available again, after he has completed his three match ban for trying to kill Hartlepool's Andy Monkhouse in the final home game of last season. And Kallums Higginbotham and Warburton have both completed their bans for things haven't got a clue. Surely being called Kallum isn't in itself a punishable offence just yet is it?
The one injury scare that we've had this week has been Nathan D'Laryea. He's carried a bit of a knock and is rated at 50-50 for this game. It will be a blow if he's not available, as he's had a terrific start to his Dale career.
And with Nathan Stanton probably a week or so away from contention for a first team place, it will more than likely mean a defensive pairing of Lee Crooks and Rory McArdle, if Dairylea fails to make it.
The return of Doolan will probably see him on the bench, rather than being thrown straight back into first team action, sparing Keith Hill of that difficult decision how three into two doesn't go for a week at least.
The only other question mark would be the front pairing. It's 99% likely to be Glenn Murray plus one. Dagnall got the nod on Tuesday, and will probably do so again.
Jerome Watt and Sam Russell both come back into contention too. They missed the game on Tuesday evening. With both on short term contracts, it would have jeopardised future moves for the players had they picked up a "Cup tie", and with both never more likely to be more than bench players, it made sense and was fair to both players to leave them out.
We reckon that we'll stick with the same side as Tuesday with Crooks in for D'Laryea if required.
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