Cheltenham v Rochdale preview

Team news for Friday's League Two clash between Cheltenham and Rochdale at Whaddon Road.

Last Updated: 24/01/13 at 16:39   

Darren Carter: Out of contract

Darren Carter: Out of contract

Defender Harry Hooman is the only absentee for Cheltenham.

The 21-year-old underwent surgery on a damaged bone in his foot and a ligament at the base of a toe so he will miss the clash with a team now managed by former Town defender Keith Hill.

Robins manager Mark Yates, who was encouraged with their performance last time out as they drew 0-0 at Morecambe, is hopeful of concluding a deal to keep midfielder Darren Carter at the club.

The former West Brom and Birmingham midfielder's contract ran out on Wednesday.

"I think Darren wants to sign and I'm hopeful it will get concluded, if not then we will have done everything we can," Yates told the club's official website.

Snow still covers the Abbey Business Stadium pitch but the ground staff are hoping for an incoming thaw.

"We're working on the basis the game is on this Friday," Yates said. "Contingencies have been made should it not go ahead."

Andy Haworth is set for a second Rochdale debut when Keith Hill makes his return as manager.

Hill replaced John Coleman in the Spotland hotseat after the former Accrington manager was sacked on Monday, taking the reins 19 months on from leaving to take charge of Barnsley.

Haworth played seven games on loan with Dale under Hill in 2010 and on Thursday agreed a deal until the end of the season following his release by Falkirk in November.

Hill has a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from as he looks to arrest Rochdale's dismal run of eight defeats in 10 League Two matches.

Reece Gray is in light training as he steps up his recovery from a badly broken leg but remains some way from first-team comeback.

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npower League 2

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Gillingham 46 27 83
2 Rotherham 46 15 79
3 Port Vale 46 35 78
4 Burton Alb 46 6 76
5 Cheltenham 46 7 75
6 Northamptn 46 9 73
7 Bradford 46 11 69
8 Chesterfld 46 15 67
9 Oxford Utd 46 -1 65
10 Exeter 46 1 64
11 Southend 46 6 61
12 Rochdale 46 -2 61
13 Fleetwood 46 -2 60
14 Bristol R 46 -9 60
15 Wycombe 46 -10 60
16 Morecambe 46 -6 58
17 York City 46 -10 55
18 Accrington 46 -17 54
19 Torquay 46 -7 53
20 AFC W'don 46 -22 53
21 Plymouth 46 -9 52
22 Dag + Red 46 -7 51
23 Barnet 46 -12 51
24 Aldershot 46 -18 48

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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