Dale defender signs two year extension to contract

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Rochdale defender Nathan Stanton has signed a two year extension to his contract at the club, boosting Dale's chances of reaching the play-off spots.

The 26-year-old has made 50 appearances in Dale colours since signing from Scunthorpe, for whom he made 276 appearances in July 2006.

Stanton said: "I was really happy to sign the extension and hopefully during my time here we can go on to really achieve something. It gives me security as well and that is important because I do have a family. I still live in Nottingham but travelling isn't a problem when you are enjoying the things that you are doing and I travel in with some of the lads anyway so it was never an issue"

With only one defeat in the league since Stanton returned to the side after an injury lay off things are looking good for Dale.

Stanton added: "You have to build from the back and if you aren't conceding goals you always have a chance especially with the sort of players that we have in the team. I enjoy my partnership with Rory McArdle and though he still has a lot to learn, being so young, he is going to be a fantastic player and I believe that he will make it to the Premier League. I am happy to help him through and hopefully he can learn off me and the rest of the other lads.

"The injury set me back big time and to be honest there were times when I thought that I wouldn't play again this season. Fair play to the management team, the coaching staff and the physios they saw me through and I am really happy to be back playing now and never want to be injured again!"

The club is holding a Fans Forum at Spotland tonight (Monday 21 January) with chairman Chris Dunphy on the panel. Doors open at 7pm. Admission is free.