Preview: Rochdale v Doncaster

John Stankevitch is set to make a series of changes to the team that lost heavily against Featherstone on Tuesday night.

The Rochdale coach said: “This will be the first game where I pick my strongest 13.

“Andy Saywell and Adam Bowman are the only lads who haven’t played so far – everyone else has had ample opportunity to show me what they can offer.

“I’ve got a 13 in mind that I consider to be my strongest team. I don’t think it will surprise many people who’ve seen us play.”

Hornets have lost all four of their Northern Rail Cup games prior to the Co-operative Championship One season starting.

Stankevitch said: “You can look at it two ways. You can say we’ve lost all four games and that would be negative but as a group we’ve been together just three months.

“I didn’t know half the players in the squad but we’ve put it together quickly and I’ve been pleased with the quality we’ve got.”

Gary King could make his Doncaster debut after last week’s scheduled Northern Rail Cup fixture against Blackpool was postponed. Craig Lawton and Gary Ellery could also make a return to action.

Dons coach Tony Miller said: “We’re hoping to start the new season with a win and it is a game where both teams will fancy themselves.

“We are also keeping our fingers crossed that we have a few of the injured players back ready to go.”