Unlike the Coca-Cola Football League Play-Off semi-finals in the Championship and League One, the League Two ties are being staged a week apart and manager Dave Penney is pleased as this has given his players more time to get over their injuries as Darlington prepare for their 2nd leg tie with Rochdale at Spotland.

Alan White has recovered from the dead leg that forced him off last weekend, while David Stockdale's foot injury, Penney says, is "a lot better" than last week.

He will most likely however, receive another pain-killing injection prior to kick-off and Ryan Valentine may follow the same treatment as he battles to overcome a knee problem.

The defender is rated at 50/50, as is Ben Parker who limped from the field with a hamstring strain.

Penney said: "The gap has given the injured players half a chance to recover. Usually the second leg is played within three or four days but we've had chance to get players back to fitness, and the same goes for Rochdale too.

"I'm glad we're playing the games a week apart, unlike Leeds and Carlisle, otherwise the injured players wouldn't have had a chance.

"We needed a week to rest and recover because it was a tough game last Saturday."

Penney will be without both first-choice strikers as Tommy Wright (knee) will not feature and Penney added: "Pawel Abbott doesn't have a chance I don't think."