STANLEY might be set for a Saturday of Christmas shopping, but Leighton McGivern is not expecting any presents from his former Rochdale team-mates on Wednesday night.
McGivern, who netted for the reserves in the midweek 3-2 defeat by Bury, has been used from the bench by John Coleman in recent games and is desperate to play a part against his old club.
Stanley secured a creditable goalless draw at Hereford last weekend, but will be searching for a first goal in over four hours of action to improve a record of just eight goals and nine points in front of the Fraser Eagle faithful.
But the visitors, who currently sit two points behind the Reds but have two games in hand, may prove a tough nut to crack - they are unbeaten on the road since opening day defeat at Peterborough.
And McGivern said: “The last two games I’ve come on and got half an hour in both of them and I’ve done OK. I’m just waiting for my chance, but I’m not the manager - it’s his choice.
“It’s a local game and everyone thought they would do better than they have after the way they finished last year.”
Skipper Peter Cavanagh is out for up to a month for Coleman’s men after undergoing hernia surgery on Wednesday.
Lee McEvilly, who scored Dale’s winner against Mansfield on his first start back at his old club after being loaned out by the Reds, will not be available.
And after the Hereford game, Coleman said: “We were talking about it on the coach saying Lee would score. He is a nice lad and I wished him all the best before the game. I am pleased for him.”
Last season this fixture ended in a 1-1 draw early in the campaign, thanks to a second-half penalty from Gary Roberts, although the Reds will be bidding to avenge their 4-2 away hammering, when they went 3-0 down in a miserable first half.
Stanley are not in action tomorrow due to the FA Cup but Dale can leapfrog them in the table with a win over struggling Wrexham at Spotland.
And McGivern added: “No-one knows yet but fingers crossed it’s going to be a weekend shopping.”
