HAVING seen his side chalk up a third successive win 1-0 at Berwick, courtesy of triallist striker Leighton McGiven, Rochdale boss Steve Parkin can't wait for the action to start in earnest.

"I'm really looking forward to the league games," he said. "It's obviously a difficult task to go to Scunthorpe on day one, but the one thing I can say is that, as long as we don't pick up any injuries, whichever team I pick will be competitive."

Youngster McGiven did his chances of a contract no harm with a spectacular finish to a Patrick McCourt assist, and drew praise from Parkin.

"He is a smashing lad," said the boss. "He has joined in with the lads really well, has good pace, and the fact that he is left-footed is always an asset.

"Alan Goodall, the young lad we have been looking at in the left-back berth, is the same and is also very strong." Tweet