Rochdale confident new £500k will be passed fit for Tottenham FA Cup clash

Rochdale are confident their relaid pitch will be passed fit for the Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Tottenham after the League One club spent about £500,000 to replace the playing surface.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was concerned the previous pitch, which was heavily sanded following bad weather, would leave both sets of players at risk of injury.

A local referee is on standby to inspect the pitch on Saturday if required but Rochdale chairman Chris Dunphy said: “Our team trained on it on Thursday and it looks in good condition. We have been in regular contact with the FA, sending them pictures and giving them assurances that everything is fine. We have kept them informed and they have been very supportive.

“We have a tent on standby to cover the pitch but the more you can keep it exposed to natural air, the better it will be.” The weather forecast is mixed for the weekend but at this stage, there is confidence both at Rochdale and at the FA that the game will go ahead as planned.

The FA have been very keen throughout that the game should take place at Spotland as they believe that if the fifth-round clash were switched to Wembley or another ground in Lancashire, it would set a dangerous precedent for when top-flight clubs meet sides lower down the pyramid in the future.