Referee John Busby will make his Crown Oil Arena debut when he takes charge of Saturday’s home fixture against Portsmouth.

The Oxford official is in his third season on the referees’ list and this will be only the second time he has refereed a Rochdale game.

His previous Dale appointment was back in February when a goal from Calvin Andrew earned Keith Hill’s men a 1-0 win at Northampton.

John’s first EFL game in August 2016 was Mansfield v Cheltenham and since then he has refereed entirely in the two basement divisions, as well as at a number of games in all three knockout competitions.

So far this season he has overseen 10 games, showing 18 yellow cards and one red.

While his Oxford base means Mr Busby usually referees in the Midlands and south, Saturday will be his fourth trip to the north, having previously had matches at Bury, Barnsley and Macclesfield.

Photo: Action Images

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