Refwatch Preview: Dale v Bradford

Nigel Miller will make his 12th visit to Spotland on Saturday for Dale’s game against Bradford.

The experienced County Durham official was thought to be retiring from duty in each of the last two seasons, but he has gained good enough marks and passed the fitness tests to allow him to still referee at Football League level.

We last saw Mr Miller in March for the 3-0 home win over Portsmouth, which was Dale’s first victory with him as referee for almost five years, as this list of all his Rochdale games shows:

Dec 2003 v Boston (h), W 1-0

Oct 2004 v Yeovil (h), W 2-1

Nov 2005 v Chester (h), D 2-2

Apr 2007 v Macclesfield (h), W 5-0

Mar 2008 v Stockport (a), L 0-2

Oct 2008 v Carlisle (h, JPT), D 2-2

Nov 2009 v Notts Co (h), W 2-1

Aug 2010 v Colchester (h), L 1-2

Mar 2011 v Huddersfield (a), L 1-2

Aug 2011 v Sheffield Wed (a), L 0-2

Mar 2012 v Tranmere (h), L 0-2

Oct 2012 v Morecambe (h), L 1-2

Mar 2013 v Aldershot (h), D 1-1

Mar 2014 v Portsmouth (h), W 3-0

So far this season, Nigel has refereed four games, showing nine yellow cards. His most recent appointment as the man in the middle was at Tranmere v Cheltenham last Saturday, while on Tuesday he was fourth official at Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup.

What to read next:

Lang laps up four-goal Pompey plaudits: There’s no feeling like it
Callum Lang grabbed the headlines and lapped up the plaudits for scoring all four goals in Pompey's impressive 4-1 win over Coventry City at Fratton Park.

Mousinho outlines latest on Pompey's defensive injury worries
Conor Shaughnessy is still some way off a return to Pompey's defence - and this weekend's clash with Coventry looks like it may come too soon for Regan Poole.

Plenty of excitement - Pompey boss relishing fixture list picking up
After a stop-start few weeks in terms of fixtures, Pompey boss John Mousinho is relishing the other extreme - a hectic schedule.

Swansea City 2 - 2 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.

Breaking news: Pompey set to play game of football
In an unexpected twist to the season, Pompey are due to play a game of Championship football this weekend.

Cullen on Pompey's transfer strategy: 'It will bring success long-term'
Andy Cullen is comfortable that Pompey's recruitment strategy is working - and says it's important to look at the long-term not just the short-term.

Grateful and happy - how Bishop is feeling after triumphant Pompey return
Grateful to be back in the fold - and for all the support he has been shown by staff and team-mates at Fratton Park.

Blues belief among frustration - Mousinho positive ahead of Pompey-Preston
Pompey are bottom of the Championship and there's a fair bit of doom and gloom among the fan base - but you won't find John Mousinho feeling sorry for himself as he plots to try to secure a home win over Preston North End this weekend.

Pompey head to Hull with boss insisting: We're still in positive mood
John Mousinho is confident Pompey will be in the right frame of mind as they bid to recover from their latest Championship setbacks by gaining some reward from their trip to Hull.

Pompey have so much room for improvement - but doomed already? No way!
Twelve games into Pompey's season, and it would appear we've landed slap bang in the middle of relegation fight. Not what we wanted, not what many expected, I don't think, and not a very nice prospect for the long winter months ahead.