Rochdale host Swindon Town in League Two aiming to extend their unbeaten run

Rochdale manager Ian Watson confirmed that no injured players would return for the match, and goalkeeper Nils Ramming withdrew during the pre-match warm-up.
Rochdale’s unavailable players include Sam Beckwith, Bryant Bilongo and Laurence Maguire, as well as long-term absentees Ryan East, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Casey Pettit, Dan Moss and Will Jenkins.
Swindon are managed by Ian Holloway, who took charge of the club in October 2024; the side had won three matches earlier in the campaign before its current winless run.
Referee Alan Dale, an Ipswich-based official, was due to oversee his fourth career match involving Rochdale.
Rochdale host Swindon Town on October 3 in League Two, seeking to extend their three-match unbeaten run. Swindon Advertiser reports that Rochdale sit 15th with 11 points, just one behind Swindon, who are desperate to snap a three-game winless streak. The hosts face the match without suspended defender Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and goalkeeper Nils Ramming, who withdrew during warm-up.
Swindon manager Ian Holloway, appointed in October 2024, will rely on striker Aaron Drinan, who leads the team with five league goals. Gazette and Herald notes that Rochdale manager Ian Watson has ruled out any injured players returning for this fixture. The two sides remain separated by just one point in a competitive League Two battle.
Rochdale will be severely weakened for Saturday's encounter. Swindon Advertiser confirms that manager Ian Watson stated no injured players would return. The club is missing suspended defender Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, and goalkeeper Nils Ramming pulled out during the pre-match warm-up. Long-term absentees include Sam Beckwith, Bryant Bilongo, Laurence Maguire, Ryan East, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Casey Pettit, Dan Moss, and Will Jenkins.
Swindon arrive at the Spotland Stadium struggling after winning just zero of their last three matches. The club has 12 points from seven games this season, sitting one place above their hosts. Under Ian Holloway's leadership since October 2024, Swindon showed promise with three early-season victories but have since stalled.
Striker Aaron Drinan will be central to Swindon's hopes of climbing the table. Gazette and Herald reports that Drinan has netted five league goals this season, making him the team's top scorer. His performances will be crucial as Swindon look to break their winless run against a Rochdale side with momentum on their side.
The gap between first and mid-table remains tight in League Two this season. Swindon Advertiser reports that Cheltenham Town sits second with 15 points, highlighting how closely bunched the division is. Every point matters in the early stages, making Saturday's clash between two teams separated by just one point a genuine six-pointer.
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