Rochdale have appointed Dave Flitcroft as their assistant manager following his brief stay with Nationwide North club Hyde United.

The 32-year-old midfielder joined Hyde in November after reaching a mutual agreement to cancel his contract with Bury.

"I have known David a long time now but I can assure you and everyone out there that he isn't coming here as my friend, he comes here because he is one of the best professionals I have ever worked with," newly-appointed Rochdale manager Keith Hill said.

"What he has been doing behind the scenes is tremendous and he has so much knowledge of this division."

Flitcroft is of course delighted to be making a return to the Football League.

He said: "Of course I'm looking forward to taking up the role. I'm delighted, I'm excited and I love challenges and this is one that when it was offered to me I couldn't refuse.

"We are hungry to change the situation that Rochdale are in and I'll guarantee we will be working 24 hours a day to ensure every single detail is covered."