Keith Keane returned to the squad on Saturday, after a four month lay-off due to a groin problem.
He was named on the bench for Dale’s League One fixture v Oxford United at the Crown Oil Arena, his first appearance in a matchday squad since August 23rd.
“Keano shouldn’t really have been on the bench today but I like him so he was,” smiled Hill after the game.
“He’s a key voice, and he needed to be on the bench today to support the players, because they also like him. They like him and they know the influence that he can have on the team. He encourages the players to do what they should be doing.
“He’s back on the training pitch but I almost had to force him to go on the bench. As much as he wanted to, he didn’t want to let anybody down.
“But the biggest risk of all is not taking the risk, and that’s what I keep telling the players.”
Watch the full interview on iFollow.