Hartlepool United's trip to Rochdale set to be played at Accrington Stanley's Wham Stadium - here's why
Hartlepool United's trip to National League leaders Rochdale on Tuesday, December 30 is set to be played at Accrington Stanley's Crown Ground - here's why.
Dale, who are two points clear at the top of the league table, have had to move their next two home matches, Tuesday's visit of Pools as well as their clash with Brackley on January 3, around 20 miles down the road to Accrington's Crown Ground, known as the Wham Stadium for sponsorship reasons, due to ongoing issues with the pitch at Spotland.
Jimmy McNulty's side have endured some well-documented problems with the playing surface at their home ground this season, with games against Southend and Scunthorpe being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Rochdale had been using a special cover to prevent more games being called off, but the club said it was not sustainable.
As a result, Dale began work to install a new drainage system as well as a new hybrid pitch earlier this month, meaning their next two home matches had to be moved.
If work, which is expected to take between four to five weeks, goes to plan, Rochdale are hoping to return to Spotland in time for the visit of bottom club Truro, who have drawn two and lost 10 of their 12 away games so far this season, on January 24.
Rochdale say the mid-season work will allow them to finish the season on "a suitable playing surface and will benefit the club for years to come".
Pools, who are without a win in any of their last four matches since manager Nicky Featherstone was appointed on a permanent basis, look like having their work cut out in Greater Manchester.
Having worked so hard to give themselves a fighting chance of gatecrashing the National League play-offs, their recent winless run risks Pools being dragged back into mid-table.
Pools could be set to come up against a familiar face on Tuesday night in the form of hugely popular frontman Mani Dieseruvwe, who scored 43 goals in 89 games during a prolific spell at Victoria Park.
The 30-year-old, who has scored 12 times in 18 appearances for Dale this term, missed their Boxing Day win over Morecambe after suffering a knock to his heel and is a doubt for what would be a first reunion since his summer departure, however.
Although Rochdale have won their last seven games in all competitions, embattled Pools boss Featherstone said Tuesday's match represented "another opportunity to try and upset the apple cart".