Stankevitch to ring in Hornets changes

Dale Bloomfield will be monitored during the week after sustaining a minor knee knock, but Rochdale Hornets coach John Stankevitch admits most changes to this week's squad will be due to performance rather than injury.

Stankevitch said: "I was bitterly disappointed with some of the lads' performances last week.

"I got the sense some of them have made their minds up that we're not going to get promoted and that they didn't put in 100 per cent. That's just not good enough.

"Myself and (assistant coach) Chris Hough will get our heads together. There have got to be changes, because we can't allow performances like that."

He added: "There's plenty to play for in terms of contracts for next year, and we want to finish the season on a high.

"We've got a tough game on Sunday, and two more after that against Barrow and Workington, but there are no excuses."

Scorpions will be without Ashley Bateman (suspected broken ankle) for Sunday's trip north.

Coach Dave Clark insists his side cannot afford to underestimate Rochdale. Clark said: "They're a bit up and down this year, but I watched their game against Crusaders and they dominated that from start to finish.

"They play very well at home and it'll be a big challenge for us. We'll have to be at our best to get a result."