Rochdale vs Nottingham Forest preview - Dale missing duo for Forest test

Posted Friday, January 02, 2015 by PA

Rochdale will be without influential pair Matty Lund and Jack O'Connell for their FA Cup third-round tie against Nottingham Forest.

Midfielder Lund dislocated his shoulder for the second time this season in the Boxing Day defeat at Scunthorpe and is expected to miss most of the second half of the campaign.

Defender O'Connell's loan spell at the club expires on January 3 and he did not have permission to play in the competition from parent club Blackburn anyway.

Midfielder Stephen Dawson remains doubtful after missing Sunday's home defeat to Fleetwood due to an unspecified injury as Dale bid to knock out Sky Bet Championship opposition for the second year running after last season's third-round win against Leeds.

Forest will be without the suspended Henri Lansbury.

Lansbury collected his 10th yellow card of the season during the defeat to Birmingham on Sunday and the midfielder must now serve a two-match ban.

Academy product Ben Osborn made a promising cameo off the bench against Blues, setting up a goal for Britt Assombalonga, and the 20-year-old could replace Lansbury in the side.

Kelvin Wilson is available again after suspension while fellow centre-half Jack Hobbs, out since mid-September with an ankle injury, has resumed training and it is hoped he will make his comeback at Spotland.