IN LIGHT of last weekend’s furore over the vacant Walsall position, Rochdale manager Keith Hill will be more delighted than most to see his side back in action against Lincoln City at Spotland this afternoon.

Sky Sports’ reports claiming Hill had submitted an application for the Saddlers’ job – quickly shot down by the Dale boss – provided an unwelcome distraction at the end of a football-free weekend for the club.

While the Walsall rumour was a surprise, Hill was less perplexed by the the decision to postpone last Saturday’s match at Saltergate.

"It was a strange weekend with the Walsall story," he admitted. "It was disappointing to have last weekend’s game at Chesterfield postponed, but it was a realistic decision when you consider the majority of other fixtures were off.

"I went down the road to watch the Bury/Barnet game and there was no way that game should have been played. The conditions were ridiculous and it wasn’t even a spectacle for the supporters, no passages of passing football. Bury won’t be complaining because they got the result, but there was no way that game should have played and I think both managers would agree with my assessment. With that in mind, I was glad we didn’t have to play in similar conditions."

That said, Hill is hungry for today’s encounter against Peter Jackson’s men.

"We know what to expect from Lincoln and they will be a genuine challenge to us," he said. "Their recruitment of Anthony Elding and Geoff Horsfield shows their intention is to push for a play-off place at the very least. They are worthy opposition and will provide a tough test."

While much of the focus has centred on who may or may not be coming into the club during the January transfer window, Hill has been working on Tom Kennedy’s contract this week.

"There is no situation with Tom Kennedy’s contract," he said. "We hadn’t been able to touch base with Tom over the Christmas period with regards to his contract but this week we’ve opened negotiations with him. We’d like him to sign, he represents a player we would like to keep at the club because he will make myself and Flicker more successful, that’s how good a player he is.

"On the flip side of the coin I’m quite sure there are a few clubs who would be interested in taking Tom, possibly on a free contract at the end of the season, but while he is at the club he will play to the best of his ability and under no circumstances would I fall out with someone like Tom Kennedy over not signing a contract."

Meanwhile, talks are ongoing with striker Lee Thorpe over extending his stay at the club.

"We’ve been in communication with Lee this week," said Hill. "But while he is injured it’s difficult. He wants to stay but he’ll probably be in a better position to negotiate terms once he is fit and ready to play again."

This afternoon is likely to see the return of inspirational skipper Gary Jones, a return Hill welcomes with open arms.

"Jonah is probably going to play a part in this weekend’s fixture," he said. "He looks really sharp and he is instrumental in setting the kind of up-tempo pace we like to operate at during games and in training. He just wants to get back playing and when he is back we are a better team with him in it.

"He sets the tempo and the standard for the rest of the players to follow."

As for Jones’ namesake Mark, he is likely to miss out – but Hill feels the Welsh midfielder still has a role to play.

"I feel a bit sorry for Mark Jones because he was set to make his full debut at Chesterfield last Saturday.

"He probably feels he’s banging his head against a brick wall because it would have been a big game for him. He is still a massive part of our plans, a very good player and I see him playing a bigger part in the second half of the season."

Lincoln’s new strike force of Anthony Elding and Geoff Horsfield look set to start up front this afternoon with Lee Frecklington coming into the midfield ahead of Stefan Oakes.

Dale’s second string were beaten 1-0 by Accrington Stanley at Dark Lane on Wednesday.

An early goal from Martin Payne proved the difference between the teams, ending a five-match unbeaten run for Chris Beech’s youngsters.

Guest of honour at Dale’s recent home game against Shrewsbury Town was Miss Pippa Mulcahy who scooped a whopping £2,250 in the weekly Goldbond draw and naturally she was delighted with her prize.

"I’ve been in Goldbond for a while now and when I got a phone call to say I’d won I thought someone was pulling my leg," she said. "It took a little while to sink in because I’ve never won anything in my life, I’m over the moon. The staff at the club treated me to a day out at Spotland and while I’m not what you would call an avid fan I’ll certainly go back and watch Rochdale again.

"I would like to thank everyone at the club for making it a truly memorable day and for a Christmas I will never forget."