Defender Neal Trotman is struggling to be fit for Chesterfield's must-win match against his old club.
Trotman, who completed a permanent move from Dale in January after an initial loan spell, has been nursing a knee problem in recent weeks.
The centre-half will continue to be monitored, but veteran striker Jack Lester will definitely remain sidelined with the groin injury that forced him off in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley almost a month ago.
Chesterfield face a third straight game knowing that anything but a victory will see them relegated. However, a win on Saturday may also not be enough to prevent an immediate return to League Two if results elsewhere go against them.
Midfielder Danny Whitaker and striker Scott Boden turned the game against Hartlepool last weekend, with a goal and an assist respectively as the Spireites won 2-1 at Victoria Park to extend their stay of execution.
After impressing when replacing Jimmy Juan and Craig Westcarr, who have both been struggling with minor injuries, Whitaker and Boden could have put themselves in the frame for starting roles.
The future of captain Gary Jones remains in doubt ahead of Rochdale's must-win clash.
Jones, Dale's all-time record appearance holder, was a surprise omission from the matchday squad ahead of last weekend's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over fellow League One strugglers Exeter - a move boss John Coleman insisted was purely tactical.
However, rumours have persisted over a reported altercation between Jones, his manager and assistant Jimmy Ryan and the 34-year-old is not expected to feature against the Spireites, who are a point above Rochdale in the relegation zone.
Youth product Sam Minihan was one of three players to make his full league debut against Exeter, along with fellow full-back Marc Twaddle and on-loan Stockport midfielder Sean McConville.
All three will hope to retain their places, although McConville's place could come under threat from Joe Thompson after the latter came off the bench to set up victory with a well-taken 81st minute equaliser.
Simon Hackney finally overcame his long-term abdominal problem to be named among the substitutes last weekend and is eying a debut in a game Coleman's side have to win to have any chance of retaining their slim survival hopes.
