Team News From The Rochdale Camp

Last updated : 01 May 2006 By Thetashkentterror
Steve Parkin
Dale boss Steve Parkin spoke exclusively to Rochdale's official website about the game tomorrow that means little in the great scheme of things to the Spotland outfit after they confirmed their safety from the drop with a 2-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday. For Carlisle though the match could see the Blues finally claim the League Two title, albeit only on goal difference from Northampton Town :


"The game is going to be a tough one for us but it is one we are all looking forward to. It comes on the back of a good victory really and the players will definitely be up for the game.

"Simmo (Paul Simpson) will coming back to the club and he and his players will be up for it too, I have no doubt about that. They have the opportunity to win the championship and it's a big game for both clubs.

"I think Tuesday will be the right time to give some of the younger lads a game. It should be an enjoyable occasion and whilst we want to put on a good performance, it is a game in which we can relax.

"I don't think the youngsters will be overawed, I believe they will love the atmosphere and rise to the occasion so we will sit down on Tuesday morning and decide what team we will play.

"It will be different for our final game of the season away at Lincoln because we will go with our strongest team. We aware there are a couple of teams who can still get in the play-offs and its only fair to them that we take our strongest team to try and challenge them."



The 'Dale go into the game with a couple of injury problems, striker Iyseden Christie missed the win over the Pirates with a neck injury and could also miss the match against United. Midfielder Neil Brisco is seemingly falling to bits, having recently had a knee operation that will keep him out for three months, Brisco will also, any time now, have an operation on a continuing dislocated shoulder problem.

United boss Paul Simpson has a full squad to choose from, Brendan McGill coming back into the reckoning after missing the disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Torquay on Saturday. The in-form Raphael Nade will seemingly not be in the squad for the clash after returning from a loan spell at Weymouth where he has helped the Terras win the Conference South title, the Ivorian-born striker having netted 13 goals in 16 starts in his time on the South coast.

The game will also see League Two's top scorers lock horns as Dale's Rickie Lambert takes on Carlisle's Karl Hawley. With two games left for each striker Hawley has a narrow lead on Lambert at 22 goals to 21, although four of the goals from the Rochdale man have come from the penalty spot. Lambert is also a dead-ball specialist so the Blues will have to be careful in giving as few free-kicks away around their own penalty area as possible.