Rochdale vs Southend United - Jamie Allen and Ian Henderson out for Rochdale

Posted Friday, October 07, 2016 by PA

Jamie Allen and Ian Henderson will miss Rochdale's clash with Southend through injury.

Midfielder Allen faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained 10 minutes into the second half of Dale's win at Charlton last weekend.

Skipper Henderson remains out as the club stick to guidelines on concussion.

Aaron Morley, 16, became the latest Academy player to make his first-team debut in midweek, playing 90 minutes of the Checkatrade Trophy clash with Notts County, and he will hope to be in the squad once again.

Southend manager Phil Brown, who serves out a two-match touchline ban, could give some of the players involved in Tuesday night's Checkatrade Trophy 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient another chance to impress.

Former West Brom and Celtic striker Marc-Antoine Fortune scored a late winner, so is in contention for a first league start since signing on a short-term deal.

Forward Nile Ranger is closing in on a return from an ankle problem and could be involved after resuming training with the first team.

Simon Cox has been troubled by blisters, so the striker will be assessed. Midfielder Michael Timlin continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, but is not expected back in contention for another couple of weeks.