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McArdle given Monday go-ahead

22/ 3/2008

ROCHDALE face a Notts County team once again fighting to preserve their Football League status at Meadow Lane this afternoon.

The Magpies skirted with relegation in 2006 and find themselves in a similar position this season. They are one of several sides in the division struggling for home wins and must improve rapidly if they are to stay ahead of Mansfield and Wrexham.

They extended their unbeaten away record to six games with a 0-0 draw at Peterborough last weekend, but their last victory on home soil was a 1-0 victory against Chester City back on 19 January.

They have collected just eight points from the last 27 available and sit three points above the relegation zone.

Dale are back at Spotland on Easter Monday when they entertain Rotherham United. Mark Robins’ side will be out to claw back some of the 10 points lost this week when the club entered administration and fell out of the play-off places.

However, the second half showing against Accrington hopefully saw Dale turn the corner with regards to home form and they will approach the contest with renewed confidence.

Dale enjoyed a 4-2 win at Millmoor in December

Defender Rory McArdle could make his 18th appearance for Northern Ireland Under 21s after being called up to the squad to face Romania on March 26.

At first McArdle’s call-up was expected to rule him out of Easter Monday’s clash with Rotherham United.

But coach of the Northern Ireland Under 21s, Roy Millar, has permitted the 21-year old to join up with his squad 12 hours later than scheduled.

Striker Chris Dagnall and defender Simon Ramsden last week signed new deals to extend their stays at Spotland.

Dagnall, who is well on the road to recovery from his cruciate operation, signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2010 at least.

Ramsden, 26, has agreed a 12 month extension to his contract and will remain at Spotland for at least one more season.