Dale's new signing Kevin Long didn't have to think twice about a move to Rochdale when the opportunity came for him to join on loan from Championship side Burnley.

The move to Spotland for the 6ft 2 defender reunites him with John Coleman, a manager he has worked under twice before in the past.

In an interview with Dale Player he said: "I wasn't really getting a look in at Burnley. They're doing really well at the moment so the gaffer there (Eddie Howe) wanted me to go out and get some more games, and when John gave me the call I wanted to come here straight away.

"He's taken me on loan at Accrington Stanley twice now and I've enjoyed my spells under him, so when I got the phone call to come here I jumped at the opportunity to play football."

The 21 year old will know Coleman better than most around the Dale camp after making 39 appearances under Coleman during his time at League Two side Accrington Stanley. Long says Coleman has helped him progress as a player since making the move from Cork City in Ireland to England in 2010: "He's very upbeat, you can have a laugh with him, but if he wants to be strict he can be. He's very football orientated so he's football all the time. I think he's a very good manager.

"He's got me used to the league. When I first came over here the pace was a bit too quick and he's got me used to the football being played here."