Rochdale manager Keith Hill will again be missing Nathan Stanton through suspension for the play-off semi-final, first leg at Darlington.Stanton serves the second match of a two-game ban and Marcus Holness and Nathan D'Laryea are competing against each other to replace him.

Hill is missing three players through injury, with goalkeepers Sam Russell (broken finger) and James Spencer (hernia) still sidelined.

Striker Lee Thorpe also remains out of action due to a dead leg and Chris Dagnall and Adam Le Fondre are both hoping to be given the nod to partner on-loan Peterborough forward Rene Howe.

Dale have not won promotion since 1969 and have been in the bottom tier of English football since 1974.

Hill said: "There is a lot of confidence as we approach the game but no arrogance and we are in good form having lost just once in our final 12 games."

Kick-off 5.35pm.

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