Dale’s second group game in this season’s National League Cup against Blackburn Rovers U21 on Tuesday night will be refereed by GARETH THOMAS.

The Sheffield official was promoted to the National List for this season and Tuesday will be his second match at the new level after refereeing Scunthorpe v Sunderland in the first round of National League Cup ties.

Gareth’s other appointments this season have all been in Premier League 2.

Last term saw Mr Thomas referee in National League North, but at the end of the campaign he was in the middle for the National League South play-off final between Boreham Wood and Maidstone United.

Photo: Action Images

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