MICHAEL Welch will put friendships to one side tomorrow as he aims to inflict another shut-out on rock bottom Rochdale.

The Stanley defender was pals with Rochdale front man Rickie Lambert when they were team-mates at Macclesfield in the 2001-02 season.

But while Lambert will be keen to net Dale's first goal of this term, Welch is just as determined to thwart him.

"He's a good player, has a good touch and he can certainly strike a ball," said Welch.

"He's lethal at set pieces as well so we'll have to be careful not to give many away.

"The game's set up for him to come back and score their first goal of the season with the way things are so it's going to be a tough game tomorrow.

"The expectation is on us to go and beat them now, which I suppose is a bit like it was for us in the Conference last season."