After last weeks excitement of our FA Cup win against Northwich and Rochdales decent Cup victory at Bury it's back to the bread and butter of league action with this game at Rochdales neat Spotland ground.

With both sides wanting points to start climbing the table it should make for an attacking style of game.  Both sides like to keep it on the ground and use the flanks a lot so that should be good chance for a rejuvenated Dean Bennett to add to the brace that he scored last Saturday.  He's got a bit of a hamstring strain at the moment but should be ready for action tomorrow.

Back will be Scott Stamps now he's got over his bruised ankle but Jan will more than likely continue with the on loan Steve Burton taking his place.

Jan Molby has been out looking for new players again this week but has not come home with any.  Donkey Darby was on his list but he's opted to go to non-league Shrewsbury instead.

Another one that we've been linked with is Richie Appleby.  He's been told by Hull City boss, Peter Taylor, that his time is almost up and if he doesn't stop making excuses not to play then he'll be released.  Jan will probably step in then and bring him back to Aggborough.

The juries out on this one.  In some ways it makes sense having him back with his mentor but it's just his suspectability to injury that makes me think it may not be worth pursuing.  I'd much rather have an average fit player than an unfit exceptional one.


Rochdale have got few injury fears in the run up to this game.  Their keeper, Neil Edwards, got injured in last weeks cup action at Bury and limped out of the game after a heavy collision with a Bury player.

Rumour soon got round that his career was over and he'd played his last ever game for the Dale.  He has denied that this week and may be fit for our game.  If not the reserve keeper Matt Gilks will take over.

Rochdale bought back Gary Jones from Barnsley for a month long loan this week but he won't be playing due to a lack of match practice.  He signed for Barnsley in a £180,000 deal two years ago but has hardly played due to injury.  Bit like Apples there then!

Dale have also sent back Ged Brannan to Wigan following a two month loan spell after manager Alan Buckley said that things hadn't worked out as expected.  This follows the return of Chris Shuker to Man City after the player concerned thought that his career would be better served by fighting for a place at City.

Michael Simpkins is suspended and striker Paul Connor has been out for a while with injury and won't be playing tomorrow.

It'll also be a shame that Harriers fans won't be able to see Monsewer Curier play because he's out of favour at Spotland and Buckley is not very impressed with him.  He is expected to be released within the next few weeks.

Result?  I think we're due for another away win and that's what I'm going for.

Teams

Harriers from:
Brock, Danby, Stamps, Gadsby, Hatswell, Burton, Ayres, Coleman, Smith, Hinton, D Williams, Parrish, Bennett, Betts, Ward, Shilton, Henriksen, White, J Williams, Lewis.

Rochdale from:
Gilks, Edwards, Burgess, Duffy, Warner, Grand, Hill, Evans, Beech, Bertos, McCourt, Jones, McClare, Townson, McEvilly, Griffiths, Doughty, Antoine-Curier.