Eyre to name a strong XI

ROCHDALE boss Steve Eyre will be looking for some respite when his side compete with Preston for a place in the northern section semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Eyre has come under fire from a section of supporters questioning the direction the team is taking under his leadership.

Dale find themselves among the relegation places in npower League One.

He will be fielding as strong a side as possible against Phil Brown’s team.

“If we’d have put ourselves into a privileged position over the last month we could have done what we wanted with the fixture,” Eyre said.

“We might have been able to fiddle around with the team.”

Eyre is without injured central defenders Pim Balkestein and Marc Twaddle, while new signing Dean Holden is cup-tied.

New signing Harry Bunn, the striker signed from Manchester City last week, is poised for his first start having enjoyed a taste of the action in Saturday’s 3-1 loss at MK Dons.

He is the son of Rochdale assistant manager Frankie Bunn.

Eyre added: “He is the type of character we need at this time because of his body strength and his desire to do well for his father, myself and the club.”