Debut for Dawson?

ROCHDALE will be without skipper Oliver Lancashire for the trip to Chesterfield tomorrow - but could hand a debut to new signing Stephen Dawson.

Lancashire suffered a muscle tear late in Tuesday’s 2-0 Capital One Cup loss against Preston at Spotland. He limped out of the clash, leaving Dale to see out the game with just 10 men.

It was the latest blow for boss Keith Hill, who has a number of injury concerns only days into the new campaign.

“We’ve lost Matty Done, Joe Rafferty took a bit of a knock at the weekend and we’ve lost Olly Lancashire all in the space of a week,” he said.

“I had tried to guard against that with the team selection because as much as I respect the Capital One Cup, the league is our priority.

“I suppose the only real positive to come out of that game was the fact we are only three points off top spot, but unfortunately we are out of the cup.

“I was disappointed with the players’ reactions to going 2-0 down and that’s why I made three substitutions.

“I wanted a spark from the bench and I suppose I was getting one.

“Unfortunately, the decision turned into a negative with respect to Olly having to come off injured.

“It was a difficult last 20 minutes with him off the pitch and he is probably not going to play for a couple of weeks.”

Ashley Eastham looks set to replace Lancashire, partnering rookie Scott Tanser in central defence against the Spireites.

Dawson is expected to start in a defensive midfield role.