Rochdale

Rochdale sign Branston from Posh
Rochdale have signed experienced central defender Guy Branston on loan from League Two rivals Peterborough. The 28-year-old will spend two months at Spotland as boss Keith Hill looks to ease his defensive problems. Peterborough have also allowed left-sided player Adam Smith, 21, to rejoin former club King's Lynn on loan to aid his recovery from injury. Branston was one of seven players made available for transfer by Posh manager Darren Ferguson in May. Most of the others - Ben Futcher, Shane Huke, Trevor Benjamin, Justin Richards and Richard Butcher - have since left London Road, with only striker Danny Crow remaining. Rochdale currently have availability doubts over Nathan Stanton, Rory McArdle and Nathan D'Laryea, and hope former Rotherham and Oldham defender Branston will plug the gap.

Forrest joins Rochdale coaching
Rochdale boss Keith Hill has re-shuffled his backroom staff by bringing in John Forrest as the club's new chief scout. Forrest previously coached at Bury, where he also enjoyed a 13-year spell as a goalkeeper. He made 430 league appearances for the Shakers between 1967 and 1980. Forrest replaces Peter Fox in the role at Spotland and will involved in watching Rochdale's opponents and recommending potential new signings.

Lomax moves to Rochdale on loan
Oldham's Kelvin Lomax has joined League Two side Rochdale on a month's loan. The 20-year-old defender has been on the fringes of the Latics first team this season and has now been allowed to move to Spotland temporarily. Rochdale boss Keith Hill made the move for Oldham's Lomax after suffering from a defensive problem. Lomax, who cannot be recalled from a month's loan, made his debut for Latics in 2004 and has made 22 career appearances in total.

Trio depart Dale after loans end
Three on-loan players are leaving Rochdale this week after their loan spells at the League Two club expired. Barnsley defender Rob Atkinson, 20, and Milton Keynes Dons striker Scott Taylor, 31, had spent a month at Dale. Meanwhile, Oldham defender Kelvin Lomax, 21 on Monday, has come to the end of his second month at Spotland. Dale are without a game next Saturday because of Chesterfield's international call-ups, so the trio have now played their last games for Keith Hill's side. Lomax had made 10 appearances for Dale, while Taylor featured four times and Atkinson played just twice as a substitute. Dale have rearranged their postponed League Two game against Wrexham for Saturday, 1 December at 1500 GMT. With both teams having been knocked out of the FA Cup at the weekend, they have moved swiftly to fill the "blank" Saturday in their fixtures. The original tie, on 8 September, was called off because of Wrexham's international call-ups.

Rochdale complete Mullan signing
Rochdale have completed the signing of former Manchester United youngster Jamie Mullan. The 19-year-old winger has agreed a short-term deal with Dale following a trial spell at Spotland. Mullan impressed in United's reserves but has been without a club since leaving Old Trafford in the summer. He previously had trial spells with Leeds, Huddersfield and Swansea before linking up with Rochdale and playing a number of reserve games.

Dale boss frustrated by Wrexham
Rochdale manager Keith Hill was left frustrated by Wrexham's defensive approach in their 0-0 draw at Spotland. "Wrexham didn't go anywhere and just camped on the edge of the box with a solid back five," Hill said. "I can't control what the opposition do but if I was a football supporter I wouldn't watch that type of game. "Wrexham's tactics were negative and I fully understand why they did it but, in a similar situation last season, we did not use tactics like that."

Holness extends stint at Rochdale
Oldham defender Marcus Holness has extended his loan spell at Rochdale. The Latics have given Rochdale permission to keep the centre-back for a third month. Football League rules stipulate that a player can stay with a club on a short-term loan deal for a maxiumum period of three months. That means that if Dale want to keep Holness when his latest loan period ends next month they will need to sign him on loan for the rest of the season.

Hill proud after Rochdale's win
Rochdale manager Keith Hill was very proud of his team after their 2-1 win at local rivals Accrington. Hill's side had Dave Perkins sent off on 20 minutes and quickly went a goal down but they fought back with Glenn Murray netting the winner. "Fortune favours the brave and the lads were just that," said Hill. "Kallum Higginbotham took his goal superbly and I think he will go on to score more goals, His work rate, enthusiasm and skill are frightening."

Robins hails Rochdale after loss
Rotherham manager Mark Robins admitted his side were outplayed by Rochdale in the 4-2 home defeat on Saturday. "It was a very bad day at the office, we never got started and found ourselves two down after nine minutes and we were on the back foot. "You could see were we always likely to concede goals as they made it an open game and they were brave with their two wide men staying wide. "It was a big learning experience for one or two of my players."

Rochdale seal signing of Holness
Rochdale have clinched the permanent signing of Oldham youngster Marcus Holness on a free transfer. The 19-year-old defender has signed a two-and-a-half year contract after completing a three-month loan spell. Chairman Chris Dunphy told his club's website: "The signing of Marcus shows our commitment to signing and developing good young players." Meanwhile goalkeeper Lloyd Rigby, 20, has joined Vauxhall Motors on loan for the rest of the season. Holness came through Oldham's academy as captain of their Under-18 side and played 10 times for Dale on loan.

Rochdale net Peterborough's Howe
Rochdale have signed Peterborough striker Rene Howe on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old arrives at Rochdale following Lee McEvilly's return to Accrington Stanley following the end of his loan spell at Spotland. Howe joined Peterborough from Kettering Town last summer. "Several clubs were after him but he has chosen to come here which is a really positive thing," Rochdale boss Keith Hill told his club's website.

Rochdale's Stanton signs new deal
Rochdale defender Nathan Stanton has signed a two-year contract extension. The 26-year-old joined Dale in the summer of 2006 from Scunthorpe and has become a key player. Stanton told the Rochdale Observer: "I was really happy to sign and I'm sure that during my time here we can go on to really achieve something. "You have to build from the back and if you aren't conceding you always have a chance, especially with the sort of front players that we have here."

Stanton banned after sending-off
Rochdale defender Nathan Stanton has been banned for one game and fined £500 after he was found guilty of using abusive and/or language. The reprimand related to Stanton's conduct in the League Two game at Milton Keynes on 26 January, where he was sent off for two early cautions. The full-back, 25, was also warned about his future behaviour. Stanton arrived at Spotland in 2007 from Scunthorpe United and signed a two-year contract extension in January.

Rochdale bring in Bolton's Basham
Rochdale manager Keith Hill has strengthened his promotion-chasing squad by signing young midfielder Chris Basham on loan from Bolton Wanderers. The 19-year-old, who has yet to play for Bolton's first team but is a regular in the reserves, has agreed a three-month deal at Spotland. Hill told the club's official website: "He is a player we have watched for a long time and one that we admire. "I am sure he will live up to the challenge."

Rochdale suffer goalkeeping blow
Rochdale keeper Sam Russell has been ruled out for up to six weeks after breaking a finger. The 25-year-old shot stopper picked up the injury in the defeat at Lincoln earlier this month. It means James Spencer is the only fit keeper currently at Spotland. Dale will look to recall Lloyd Rigby from his loan spell at Blue Square North side Vauxhall Motors in time for Saturday's game at home to Wycombe.

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