Rochdale

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Rochdale defender Dan Moss will miss the rest of the 2026-27 season because of a serious knee injury.

Moss, 25, damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in the League Two victory against neighbours Oldham on 19 September.

"He's an amazing person and we're devastated for him, but I don't think he'll let it define him," Watson told the club website., external "He'll come back as an amazing, stronger player."

Meanwhile, fellow defender Laurence Maguire will be out for about 10 weeks with a calf injury.

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National League side Barrow have strengthened their squad by signing midfielders Arian Allen, who arrives on loan from Stockport County, and Corey Edwards.

Edwards, 19, was released by Rochdale in the summer after helping them win promotion to the EFL and rejected other offers to play first-team football with Barrow.

Allen, 19, who began his career at Everton's academy and had a spell with Rangers, joined Halifax Town in July and made four substitute appearances for the National League side before he was recalled by Stockport.

He made four appearances for League One Stockport last season, including his debut in August 2025 against Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup.

Matthew Cresswell
BBC Sport England

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Rochdale's board of directors have given head coach Ian Watson a vote of confidence after a poor start to the season.

The 40-year-old took over as Dale boss in June after Jim McNulty's departure for Stockport County and has overseen just five league matches so far.

The club are sitting just outside the League Two relegation zone on goal difference with three points from a possible 15.

Watson moved from National League North club South Shields and is experiencing his first taste of EFL management with Rochdale.

"Clearly, results have not gone how we would have liked. There is no escaping that," a statement on the club's website read., external

"Ian and the coaching staff, as well as the board, are all keenly aware that we will need to see an improvement in our performances.

"It is disappointing for everyone associated with the club that, after the recent positivity, there is now, understandably, frustration and this is finding its way into the stands.

"However, we would also like to make the club's position clear. We are now embarking on a second three-year journey, in which our aim is to win promotion to League One.

"After a shortened pre-season and recruitment period, through no fault of the head coach, we have also suffered an exceptional number of injuries – in some cases very serious – which has significantly hampered our ability to field a consistent first 11.

"Ultimately, football is a results business. The very minimum of our ambitions this season is to ensure we remain in the league. However, given our longer-term plans, we do not intend to make any knee-jerk reactions.

"Our priority as a board is to give Ian the time to develop the team and improve our results, and we intend to fully support him in his efforts to do so."

Rochdale continue their League Two campaign with a trip to Walsall on Saturday.

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Transfer deadline day is upon us and today is the final chance for your EFL club to finalise any business until January.

The transfer window closes at 23:00 BST, so we might have some late night scrambles to get deals over the line.

There has already been plenty of movement this summer and whether it's a busy or quiet day for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

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Rochdale have signed Aston Villa midfielder Kane Taylor on loan until January.

The 21-year-old scored two goals in 16 appearances on loan in League Two with Oldham last season.

He is yet to make his senior debut for Villa but scored for their Under-21s in an EFL Trophy defeat by Wigan on Tuesday.

"We're delighted to get Kane in. He brings a lot of athleticism and quality to the team, alongside experience in League Two," Dale boss Ian Watson told the club website., external

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Rochdale have signed central midfielder Baba Adeeko from Wigan on a one-year deal.

The 23-year-old, who featured 98 times for the Latics across five seasons, joins the newly-promoted side in League Two.

Adeeko made his first-team debut in a Carabao Cup tie in 2021 and went on to make 80 League One appearances in all.

The Galway-born player has also represented Republic of Ireland at Under-19 and Under-21 level.

Rochdale open their League Two campaign at Newport (12:30 BST) on Saturday.

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