Referee Michael Naylor will make his first visit to Spotland in that capacity for Friday night’s encounter with Cheltenham.

The Sheffield-based official is in his third season on the league list, but his only Dale game to date was our JPT tie at Port Vale in August 2010.

However, Michael was on the line for the promotion six-pointer with Bournemouth in April 2010, when his flag denied Brett Pittman what would have been a late winning goal for the visitors.

Fans will remember the match finished 0-0 in front of over 5,000 fans.

Mr Naylor has made good progress since joining the league list and last season refereed the League Two play-off semi-final first leg between Crewe and Southend.

He has also received some important games this term, including six Championship appointments, the most recent of which was Bolton v Ipswich earlier this month.

So far this season Michael has refereed 16 games, showing 36 yellow cards and two red.

Photo: Action Images

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