ROCHDALE are the visitors to the Memorial Stadium tomorrow (3pm) in a game that has been billed as a mid-table tussle between two teams desperate for points to propel them towards the play-off places.

Lying three points and just two places ahead of Rovers (with two games in hand), Steve Parkin's side have endured a similar campaign of highs and lows, yet currently lie just six points off the all-important seventh spot.

The big news for Rovers this week is that Ali Gibb may be nearing full fitness after spending much of the campaign on the sidelines, with the midfielder stating that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel as he battles to regain full fitness.

The influential Dave Savage is also stepping up his training as he pushes for a place in the Rovers side for Saturday's clash.

This will give manager Ian Atkins plenty of options, although another one may yet appear in the mould of former Birmingham City and Hartlepool United defender Jon Bass, who is currently training with Rovers with a view to earning himself a contract. Atkins is said to be considering a possible deal for Bass, although whether or not he will be involved on Saturday remains to be seen.

On Tuesday (March 8) Rovers have another big game in the LDV Vans Trophy southern area final second leg at Southend United. With the Pirates 2-1 down on aggregate from the first leg and with the chance of appearing in a showpiece cup final at the Millennium Stadium becoming a blurred dream, Atkins's men will be desperate to grind out a positive result at Root's Hall. One way or the other, it is sure to be an epical night although, ultimately, both teams have done well to reach this advanced stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, last Saturday provided another cruel for Rovers, who lost 2-1 away to Macclesfield Town or, to be precise, to the clinical finishing of their chief striker Jon Parkin, who netted both goals.

Atkins was left ruing what looked like a clear penalty on the verge of half-time when Craig Disley's goalbound shot was seemingly handled on the line by Matt Carragher. However, nothing was given and, within seconds, Parkin had given the Silkmen the lead.

Steve Elliott equalised on 55 minutes with a deflected free-kick but, within just six minutes, the hosts were back in front courtesy of Parkin's 23rd goal of what has been a dream season for Macclesfield. This time, there was no comeback from the visitors.

Afterwards, boss Atkins was furious that his defence had allowed the big striker so much time and space throughout the match, and felt that his side had deserved more after a battling display against League Two's form team.

He will hope that tomorrow's clash will bring Rovers the points that they deserve.