Veteran Flint brings much-needed defensive experience to Rochdale

And they do not come much more experienced that Aden Flint.

For context, the defenders likely to be available for Saturday’s trip to Walsall will have 560 Football League appearances between them.

Impressive figures, but when you consider Flint accounts for 490 of them, the reason why he has been brought in becomes abundantly clear.

The last two games have outlined what it’s like to have inexperience running through your backline in a microcosm – you will get games where it goes well, like the Shrewsbury game, but there will also be games in which they will be as exposed as they were against Gillingham.

With Ethan Ebanks-Landell now facing at least two months out and with Sam Sherring and Laurence Maguire both having their injury problems – both this season and going further back – Ian Watson was crying out for some nous at the back.

At 37 years of age, Flint is in the autumn of his career but very much falls into the “been there, done that, got the T-shirt” mould that will, in theory, be a big help to the younger players that have been relied upon since then.

Ironically, his debut could come against the club he left in the summer in Walsall – and his impact will need to be relatively instant.

With whom he will be partnered will be interesting - in the short-term, Dan Moss and Kaiden Wilson are Watson's only other centre-half options.

You would think a pacier option would be preferable to cover any speed that Flint may lack, which may tip the balance in Wilson's favour although Moss perhaps has more credit in the bank

“I’m happy to get it done”, Flint said

“It’s been a frustrating summer waiting for the right opportunity and I’m grateful to come and play here.

“I’m looking forward to help the lads out – I’ve got good experience to use on and off the pitch.

“It should be a good blend with the younger lads here.”

Watson added: “Aden brings something we really need and that’s experience with Skip (Ebanks-Landell) being out for so long.

“He’s had an amazing career, he’s still really hungry to do well and come in to help.

“He adds so much to us and we’re really pleased that he chose to come here.”