CENTRAL midfield has taken care of itself in more ways than one for Rochdale boss Keith Hill over the past few months.

The combination of Gary Jones and David Perkins out-run and out-fought all comers during Dale’s fine run of form towards the end of the season.

Chris Basham was brought in from Bolton and provided quality cover during the spring, but the axis around which Dale’s form revolved was the Jones/Perkins combination.

The partnership will not feature in the most important game of the season, however, Perkins falling victim to a dreadful refereeing decision. Hill’s planning this week has been without Perkins in mind following the midfielder’s dismissal against Darlington last Saturday, and which way he plays it is bound to be the subject of many a conversation as Rochdalians head south on Monday morning.

With Basham’s loan period ending two weeks ago, central midfield options are limited.

John Doolan is the only other recognised midfield player available – but he is short on match fitness having been on the fringes of the first-team since the new year.

Fine distributor that he is, it’s a big ask of Doolan to bring his top game to the sapping Wembley surface and it may be that Hill explores other, less obvious options. Not that he will be revealing his hand ahead of the big clash.

"I have decided who will get the opportunity," he said.

"With all due respect to everyone involved, if Dave Flitcroft had kept himself up to match fitness over the last six months it would have been a great opportunity for him to be involved. But we’ve discussed it and he wouldn’t be willing to risk himself or the lads’ opportunity.

"We’ve looked at every situation and we feel we’ve come up with the right scenario but that scenario is privilege to a handful of people until Monday."

Changes to personnel there may be, but Hill will field a 4-4-2 formation come what may.

"We are strictly a 4-4-2 team and that won’t change," he said.

"When we are at our best we are difficult to handle. It’s worked well for us in the past so why change? If anyone is going to change it’s going to have to be Jim and Stockport – but I don’t think they will change, they are very well versed in their plan.

"Jim made a few changes against Wycombe and they worked for him. He’s a very good manager, very astute and he has a bright future."

Stockport had good news on the injury front ahead of their first Wembley appearance in 14 years.

Captain Gareth Owen will be available but he will be wearing a protective mask after fracturing his cheekbone in the clash against Wycombe last Saturday.

The cheekbone has not been displaced so Owen won’t be requiring any subsequent surgery.

Midfielder Dominic Blizzard should be available as he is now fit after missing Saturday’s game with a calf strain, while Matty McNeil is also now back in training after a while out with a knee injury.

The only slight injury concerns for boss Gannon surround striker Ryan Lowe and ’keeper John Ruddy.