DALE have mixed injury news to report as they seek to consolidate their position at he top of Division Three.

Midfielder Graeme Atkinson, who has been a revelation since battling back from a cruciate knee ligament injury, is unlikely to play having picked up a calf strain at Swansea on Tuesday night.

Atkinson's pillaging runs down the left wing have been a feature of Dale's play in recent weeks and though Kieron Durkan is an able stand-in he lacks Atkinson's out and out attacking flair.

However better news for Steve Parkin is that record signing Paul Connor could be back within a month.

The striker has suffered from a series of hamstring injuries and it is thought that his current problems are in part due to his quick return to first team action after his last lay-off.

However Dale now have three fit strikers in Clive Platt, Kevin Townson and on-loan Phil Wheatcroft so Connor will not be rushed into first team action until he is completely ready.

Dale have suffered from a lengthy injury list all season, but they have coped admirably to reach the top of the division. However only five points separate them from the team in sixth place so Parkin will know that they can afford few slip-ups if they are to gain promotion to Division Two.

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