STAR Town defender Efe Sodje goes into tonight's clash with Rochdale boosted by encouraging news on his red-card appeal.

The Football Association have decided the bandana-wearing favourite may have a case for wrongful dismissal following his sending-off at Bury 10 days ago.

The 30-year-old is facing a three-match ban after the game at Spotland (7.45), but he should know on Thursday whether an FA Commission have upheld his appeal or sided with referee André Marriner about a challenge on Bury substitute Joe O'Neil.

While Town will wait for a late fitness test on Andrew Holdsworth (foot) before the match with Alan Buckley's Pennine rivals, manager Peter Jackson is keeping fingers crossed he'll have Sodje available for the trips to Swansea and Sunderland before the home clash with Leyton Orient.

"For the appeal to have gone past the first stage is encouraging, but we'll have to wait and see," said Jackson, who travels tonight with all 22 available pros plus Academy defender David Mirfin. "They have looked at the video and I'm delighted they've decided there's a case to answer. If he now escapes a ban, it will be fantastic."

Sodje is hopeful and just concentrating on tonight's important match.

"I was disappointed with the sending-off and was determined to play as well as I could against Northampton to prove it was all behind me," he said.

"Obviously I'm hoping my appeal will go through after this news from the FA, but there's nothing I can do apart from my best against Rochdale.

"After the whole team put in a great performance on Saturday, it's important now that we go to Rochdale and aim to do it all again.

"The three points and the clean sheet have given us a massive lift, but we want to prove we can win back-to-back and move up the table."

Jackson said: "Rochdale will be expecing a difficult game and we can't disappoint them or, indeed, the massive following we will have over at Spotland tonight."

John Thorrington has had successful surgery to cure an ankle ligament problem but will be immobilised for four weeks and out for at least six.

Town have arranged a friendly at Barnsley tomorrow to get a game for Steve Yates (groin) and for Bay Athletic's Paul Pike, the 18-year-old who is on trial with the club this week.

Rochdale - (from): Gilks, Evans, Burgess, Griffiths, Grand, Brannan, Bertos, Doughty, Townson, McClare, Connor, McEvilly, McCourt, Duffy, Edwards.

Town - Gray, Hughes, Sodje, Scott, Edwards, Holdsworth or replacement, Fowler, Worthington, Carss, Booth, Stead.

Referee - Howard Webb (South Yorkshire).