STEVE Parkin steps back into the Rochdale hot-seat with tomorrow's match against play-off chasing Torquay coming just three days after his appointment as manager.

Having lost eight of their last 10 under previous boss Alan Buckley, Rochdale need a positive result to ensure that they do not drop deeper into the mire.

Key midfielder Gary Jones (foot) and defender Daryl Burgess (hip) are the only injury worries. Both missed out on last Sunday's defeat to York.

Leading scorer Kevin Townson and mercurial winger Patrick McCourt both gave excellent displays from the bench and will be pushing for starts, as will new man Kevin Donovan and striker Lee McEvilly after his three-game ban.

LAST SEASON: Rochdale 0 Torquay 2

KEY OPPONENT: Alex Russell - former Dale midfielder.

PREDICTION: Rochdale 1 Torquay 1

For all the latest odds, ring BETFRED on 0800 73 11 210

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