Rochdale confident their pitch will be ready for Portsmouth's League One visit in September

That’s despite the Dale having to switch their Carabao Cup first-round tie against Huddersfield to The John Smith’s Stadium.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s side were due to host the Championship outfit in their season opener on Saturday, September 5.

However, ongoing work on the Spotlands playing surface meant the League Cup tie would come around too soon – prompting Rochdale to request a change in venue.

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Both the Terriers and the EFL granted the petition, with Rochdale installing in a new drainage and irrigation system.

And with the Greater Manchester side’s next two fixtures also away – Morecambe (EFL Trophy on September 8) and Swindon (League One on September 12) – it means belief is high that the pitch will be ready for the Blues’ visit.

A statement from Rochdale read: ‘We had always anticipated having to move our first-round Carabao Cup tie had we been drawn at home, so since last week’s cup draw, we have been in constant dialogue with the EFL and the Terriers to request a change of venue to give the pitch at the Crown Oil Arena more time to fully establish.

‘Significant works have been carried out over the last couple of months, including the installation of a new drainage system.

‘The dates of lockdown (March), the season being ended (June) and the new start date (September) as well as delays due to the weather, have proved to be a perfect storm, with the result being that the pitch ideally needs until September 19th before it is used.

‘The advice from contractors and our groundsman is that September 5th is too soon for a game to be played at the Crown Oil Arena as the pitch is immature (just over four weeks from seeding) and it will sustain damage that will impact later in the season.

‘At this early stage, it is also a danger for players and officials.

‘It should be noted that we are very happy with the progress of the pitch and there are no concerns over the works.

‘We are confident that it will be fully ready for the first home league game of the 2020-21 campaign.’

Pompey’s trip to Rochdale represents their fourth game of the 2020-21 season.

Their campaign begins with a rearranged trip to Stevenage in the first round the Carabao Cup this Saturday (September 29).

The Blues then host Colchester in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, September 8, before taking on Shrewsbury at Fratton Park on the opening day of the League One season four days later.

The trip to the Crown Oil Arena follows on September 19.

On their previous visit to Rochdale last season, a Ronan Curtis double and a late Ryan Williams effort saw Pompey run out 3-0 winners.