Rochdale make Holness move permanent

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Rochdale have signed defender Marcus Holness from Oldham on a free transfer ahead of their game against Lincoln tomorrow, Saturday 5 January. The 19-year-old has spent the last three months on loan from Dale's neighbours. He becomes the second player to extend his stay at Spotland this week after it was announced that goalkeeper Sam Russell will remain until the end of the season.

Holness made ten appearances during his loan spell from Oldham, where he had captained the Latics' Under-18 side. He made his Rochdale debut against Bury in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in October.

Holness fits perfectly into the future plans of Rochdale's current management team as a young player with a bright future that is already capable of slotting into the first team.

Meanwhile Rochdale's young goalkeeper Lloyd Rigby will spend the rest of the season on loan at Vauxhall Motors.

Holness will be in the first team squad when Rochdale hope to extend a seven match unbeaten run at home to Lincoln tomorrow, kick off 3pm. He is unlikely to break into the first team however, with Dale expected to stick with the same eleven that beat Darlington 3-1 on New Year's Day. David Perkins returns from a four match ban and could feature in the sixteen man squad.

Rochdale will be without Rory Prendergast and youngsters Callum Warburton, Kristian Bowden and Kyle Buckley after they were released from their contracts yesterday.

Lincoln will be without suspended pair Scott Kerr and Jamie Hand, while defender Paul Green may not feature as he has a slight thigh injury. Gary Croft and Dany N'Guessan have longer term injuries so definitely will not play and striker Mark Stallard is still two weeks away from full fitness.