Up to six players are probably out for Blackpool’s match against Stevenage at Bloomfield Road this Saturday, twelve weeks, or eighty-two days, have passed since Blackpool’s last home victory.
The management wants to improve that record and make it hard for the opponent to visit Blackpool’s home field.
They had the opportunity to break the record on Tuesday because Steve Bruce thought he had selected a team that was good enough to advance to the next round, but they fell to Aston Villa’s under-21s in a penalty shootout.
Since a number of first-team players received rest that evening, they ought to be healthy and prepared for the Stevenage challenge.
Odeluga Offiah’s return and availability for selection is a much-needed boost. Due to his August appearance for Brighton & Hove Albion, he was not eligible for Blackpool’s EFL Trophy campaign. A complete list of Blackpool’s probable absences before the weekend can be seen here.
endured a challenging period of injury after leaving Ipswich Town. He missed a few months due to an ankle issue, but a thigh ailment that occurred at the beginning of November is now the cause of his absence.
What is said by Steve Bruce? (December 12): “Hopefully, one by one, we’ll get them back on the grass.” Hopefully, we’ll see CJ (Hamilton), Sonny Carey, and Elkan Baggott.
Josh Onomah
The new patient in the therapy room. Onomah had to leave the game during the first half of the victory over Reading. The timing of his hip issue couldn’t be worse, as his short-term contract is almost over.
Steve Bruce stated on December 14 that “it’s a big problem.”
It’s his hip. Football is unlike anything else. You can work out all you want in the gym or run around in the park, but football pushes you to the edge with your physicality, and right now, it’s failing him.
We’ll see how he does, but he’s in a better spot than he was a month ago. He had to come off.
We’ll have to wait and see how long it takes to get him into the treatment room.
“He gives you physicality, which is necessary in this division, so we’ve seen what he can do.
CJ Hamilton
Missed three games with a thigh injury in October but returned against Leyton Orient at the start of November. Suffered a reccurence of the muscle injury against Northampton Town and has missed the last six games.
What has Steve Bruce said? (Decmeber 12): “We’ll hopefully get them back on the grass one after the other. We’ll hopefully see the likes of (Elkan) Baggott, (Sonny) Carey and CJ (Hamilton).
Sonny Carey
Been out of the action for the last couple of weeks with a muscle injury.
What has Steve Bruce said? (Decmeber 12): “We’ll hopefully get them back on the grass one after the other. We’ll hopefully see the likes of (Elkan) Baggott, (Sonny) Carey and CJ (Hamilton).
Andy Lyons
He’s recovering from an ACL injury that he suffered back in February. He was pictured on the grass last week as he takes a big leap towards a return, but unfortunately it won’t come in 2024.
What has Steve Bruce said? (December 13): He’s making big progress, which is good.
“I’ve seen him work his socks off around the training ground, so we’re hoping he comes back okay. He’s on the grass and joining in with bits and pieces.
Suffered medial ligament damage against Liverpool’s under-21s. He’s not expected to return until the New Year, and it might be that he is phased back in to the action.
