Rochdale manager Keith Hill (pictured) will again be missing Nathan Stanton through suspension for the League Two 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."

Darlington boss Dave Penney is boosted by the return of Julian Joachim and Ryan Valentine.

Joachim missed the last four games of the regular season with an ankle problem and Valentine has missed the last two with a knee injury, but the duo return to face Dale.

Penney will give goalkeeper David Stockdale (bruised foot) as long as possible to prove his fitness, with Przemyslaw Kazimierczak on hand to deputise if needed, while midfielder Ben Parker is available after returning from a one-match ban.

Striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu has overcome a groin strain but is lacking in match fitness, while defender Stephen Foster and Tommy Wright - who were both rested against Peterborough last weekend - will return.

Youngster Curtis Main could again be in the matchday squad, but it remains to be seen whether striker Pawel Abbott (knee) will feature again this season.

Wycombe and Stockport meet in the first leg of their play-off semi-final on Sunday.

TEAMtalk / Eurosport