Rochdale boss Keith Hill has reiterated the importance of keeping his best players as the club bid to win their first promotion since 1969.
Dale are currently top of League Two after Tuesday's thumping 3-0 victory at Bradford but the Spotland boss insists the exit door must remain closed in January.
"It is important to keep as many players as we can and try to strengthen the squad," said Hill.
"We are ruthless in pursuit of success.
"The season is going reasonably well but we cannot step off the mark. We have a lot of players out of contract who are being sought by other clubs."
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