Rochdale manager Robbie Stockdale is sweating on a couple of COVID tests ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Carlisle.
Stockdale, in his first season in charge at Spotland, was desperate to keep the side which beat Newport 3-0 last Saturday – but might be forced into changes.
“One of the things we have been looking for is consistency, not just from game to game, but in each game.
“The win at the week-end was the first time we have put it together well for 90 minutes. There have been moments in every game but the way we played in the win over Newport was what we have to be looking for every week.
“But every away game offers a new challenge and it will be tough at Carlisle so we have to find that consistency again,” he says.
There won’t be any extra training session on Christmas Day for the Rochdale players.
Stockdale, who made over 250 starts as a professional with 70 in the Premier League for Middlesbrough, has experienced both ways of dealing with Christmas.
“As a player I’ve trained on Christmas Day and also had it free, but I think you gain more by allowing players to spend the day with family and friends.
“They are all professional and know what’s required so we will train Friday and then into the game on Boxing Day,” he says.
Rochdale are currently 14th of 24 in League Two with 27 points from 22 games – eight points better than Carlisle but from a game more.
