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Conference

ROSSENDALE United manager Mark Molyneaux has one new signing in the bag and will have made another before tomorrow's away trip to Ossett Albion.

Molyneaux will talk to Maine Road's Andy Roberston tonight with a view to signing a contract as he looks to bring in a replacement goalkeeper.

Regular keeper Molyneaux is set for a spell in the dug-out in the absence of his assistant, Wayne Goodison, who has been in hospital.

However, his need for aid on the coaching front may not be too pressing after securing the services of Anthony Hogan.

"Anthony has joined us from Cork in Ireland and it is great to have him on board," he said.

"With Wayne in hospital I needed some help and Anthony is over here working on his coaching badges. He is already a highly qualified coach and there were a number of clubs looking to take him on.

"But I am still looking at a keeper though, and while we will talk to Andy Robertson tonight, I do have a few other options and may go for a loan deal."

But despite staffing issues both on the field and behind the scenes, Molyneaux is confident his side will fight their way out of the relegation zone.

The Dark Lane side counted themselves unlucky to lose 2-1 at home to second placed North Ferriby United.

But Molyneaux admitted that they had taken time to adjust to a new-look line-up.

"We had to make a few late changes due to illnesses and injuries," he said.

"I like to give players up until the last minute to give them a chance to recover.

"But we had to make changes and that upset things a little bit.

"In the first 45 minutes we were getting to grips with the game, but we were tremendous in the second half.

"I was really proud of all of my players but we got done by a sucker punch. But that's what you get when you're down there.

"These players are a pleasure to work with though, so you don't get down about it.

"And they will get the club of of this mess we're in."

Molyneaux is hampered by further injury problems and suspensions for tomorrow's trip to West Yorkshire.

Goalkeeper Bobby Jones is likely to be ruled out with a back injury, Brad Clegg, Chris Jones and Dean Cooper are all suspended and Jordan Rispin could be sidelined for a month with a foot injury.

However, Dale player-manager Molyneaux is putting his faith in his squad.

"This is where the squad comes in handy, plus I've got a couple of extra bodies to have a look at, but some of the squad players will get their chance," he said.

"I've got every confidence in the players who will come into the side. I wouldn't want to be in any other changing room at this time because they've all shown great character."