Rochdale manager Keith Hill looks ahead to Saturday's encounter with Port Vale safe in the knowledge striker Chris O'Grady is a Rochdale player. The Dale boss is pleased to have the signature of the former Oldham Athletic man and sang the praises of the board of directors and one man in particular.

"We are very pleased to have secured the services of Chris O'Grady, he's a very good footballer who has the DNA profile we look for in our players.  He's a very good footballer and he's scoring goals that's why there has been a little interest in him.  You have to give credit to the chairman and the board of directors for spending the sum they have but I have to give a special mention to the work of Andrew Kelly who has work tirelessly in the pursuit of getting a deal for Chris done.He spent a good few weeks over Christmas and the New Year on it and to secure Chris's services for the next two and a half years is tremendous work and like I said I cannot praise Andrew enough."

O'Grady has not only found an environment he feels comfortable in, he's also found a perfect on pitch soul mate in strike partner Chris Dagnall. The pair have formed a formidable partnership during O'Grady's loan spell notching 25 goals between them but Hill insists while he's happy with the partnership, goals can come from anywhere within his squad.

"Chris Dagnall is in good form himself and he and Chris O'Grady has formed a very good partnership.We can also rotate our squad, we have alternatives and if I'm being honest with the type of player we have in offensive areas, we offer the opposition a lot of problems. Goals are coming from other members of our squad, from other areas and that is very pleasing to us and a worry to the opposition.

"I'm sure the game will go ahead this Saturday and I'd like to thank the supporters for their magnificent efforts over the last few weeks.We have Port Vale here on Saturday and we are sure it is going to be a tough one. Dave Flitcroft was talking to our counterparts at Leeds United and they too are finding that teams raise their game when they play them.Like us they are at the top of the tree and there to be shot at.We are a scalp for Port Vale but they are a very good side.

"For me it will judge of how far we have come because we played them at the start of the season.They are very defensive and don't concede many goals and they are difficult to break down.It does represent a stern challenge for us but it is one we are looking forward to.We are on the countdown to the end of the season and as games go by so do the opportunities and it is important we take full advantage."