BACK in the sunnier days of August, Rochdale won at Bristol Rovers in the League and they have the chance to repeat that feat in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Without a victory since September 29, a Cup run would go some way to relieving the pressure on player-boss Paul Simpson and his assistant Jamie Hoyland.

"A Cup run would be brilliant because once you get into the hat for the third round it is so exciting," says Hoyland. "Instead of having around 3,000 here we could be looking at a full house or going to a really big club.

"I've had some good times in the Cup during my career and it's a great competition. Hand on heart, we know that we're not going to win the Cup but if we can go a fair way, it will also give an important boost to the finances."

Shane Cansdell-Sherriff has had to go back to Leeds due to a knee injury, skipper Gareth Griffiths is suspended and a third centreback Steve Macauley is on-loan at Macclesfield. So two players at different ends of the career spectrum are likely to play.

Veteran Richard Jobson, 39, will come back and 18-year-old Simon Grand will make his debut.

To add to the problems at the back Chris Beech picked up a calf strain at Torquay and his place will go to either Simpson, Patrick McCourt or Michael Oliver.

KEY OPPONENT: Giuliano Grazioli - livewire striker.

PREDICTION: Bristol Rovers 1 Rochdale 2. Tweet