Rochdale welcome Wigan to Spotland

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Keith Hill

Rochdale welcome Wigan Athletic to Spotland for the first league encounter between the two sides for 18 years.

The last league meeting was 8 March 1997 when none other than Keith Hill lined-up against Wigan in a 3-1 win at Spotland.

More recently, Dale hosted Wigan Athletic in a pre-season friendly at the start of the 2014-15 season - Dale were 2-1 winners.

Wigan, who were relegated from the Championship at the end of last season, have recruited Alex Revell on loan from Cardiff City in time for the match. They will, however, be without Will Grigg and Donal Love, who are on international duty, and Kevin McNaughton and Sanmi Odelusi, who are injured.

Dale manager Keith Hill continues to cope with an ever-growing injury list. The squad has been hit with injuries in recent weeks, with Jamie Allen, Callum Camps, Ian Henderson, Reuben Noble-Lazarus and Joe Rafferty all missing out through injury on Tuesday night, while Matty Lund was withdrawn at half-time on Tuesday due to a thigh strain.

Live on TV: The match is being shown live on Sky Sports 1, with a 12.30pm kick-off.