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Blackpool v Reading: Live match updates as Paul Ince returns to Bloomfield Road

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The Seasiders will be desperate to get back to winning ways this afternoon as they welcome Paul Ince's Reading to Bloomfield Road.

Follow our blog for build-up, team news and live match updates...

Blackpool v Reading - live updates

Key Events

  • FT: Blackpool 4-1 Reading
  • Seasiders looking to get back to winning ways after QPR disappointment
  • Paul Ince’s return to Bloomfield Road adds extra spice to the game

After CJ Hamilton’s first cross is blocked, the winger pulls the ball back to Josh Bowler who blazes high and wide from just inside the box.

The bobbly pitch is making things a bit difficult, but the Seasiders are still trying to do the right thing and keeping it on the deck.

Pool on top so far against a Reading side that appear happy to sit deep.

CJ Hamilton wins Blackpool a third corner of the game already. North Stand raises the noise levels once again.

Gary Madine nods it down to Jerry Yates, who's side-footed effort is well saved.

CJ Hamilton’s cross is blocked for another Pool corner. Looked like it hit CJ on the way behind, but oh well.

Josh Bowler is thwarted by the left flank but Pool still win a corner.

Good noise already here from the home fans.

The visitors get the game underway.

Up the mighty Pool!

10 minutes until kick-off

The players have returned to the changing rooms and kick-off is almost among us.

Meanwhile, a message reading #WeStandWithUkraine adorns Blackpool’s big screen.

Good to see Steve Thompson on co-commentary duties for BBC Radio Lancashire today.

Blackpool’s former assistant has been out of work since leaving PNE last month. He’d rather be here anyway, clearly...

Odds on a Blackpool win?

Blackpool: 11/10

Draw: 5/2

Reading: 3/1

Blackpool to win 1-0: 8/1

Reading to win 1-0: 13/1

0-0 draw: 10/1

Both teams to score (no): 6/5

Blackpool to win and both teams to score: 3/1

Neil Critchley has somewhat unsurprisingly opted to freshen up his Blackpool side for this afternoon's game against Reading.

The Seasiders return to Bloomfield Road today looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat to 10-man QPR on Wednesday night.

They face a Reading side who, while still mired in trouble, have won their last two games on the spin.

Their last victory came under former Pool boss Paul Ince, who is now in temporary charge at the Madejski Stadium.

The 54-year-old includes his son Tom in his line-up with the winger on loan with Reading from Stoke City.

As for the Seasiders, Critchley makes four changes in total as Marvin Ekpiteta returns after being rested at Loftus Road.

Kevin Stewart, Jerry Yates and Gary Madine all come back into the side as the Seasiders revert back to their trusty 4-4-2 formation.

Oliver Casey, Reece James, Callum Connolly and Shayne Lavery are the four players to make way.

The return of Stewart to the starting line-up sees a return of his successful partnership with Kenny Dougall, which hasn’t been seen since Wembley back in May.

Ethan Robson and Charlie Kirk are left out of the squad, while Chris Maxwell (quad), Richard Keogh (calf), Luke Garbutt (knee), James Husband (hamstring), Matty Virtue (ACL), Grant Ward (achilles), Sonny Carey (metatarsal) and Keshi Anderson (hamstring) all remain sidelined.

Tom Ince starts for Reading

Blackpool’s squad have just gone upstairs for their pre-match team meeting and it appears Marvin Ekpiteta is among them.

That would be a big bonus to have him back today.

How well do you remember Paul Ince’s tenure?

JPI Media

An extra dynamic to today’s game is the return of Paul Ince to Bloomfield Road.

The 54-year-old oversaw a 2-1 victory for the Royals at home to Birmingham City during his first game in charge.

Next up for Ince on Saturday is a return to Bloomfield Road, where he experienced an all too brief spell in charge of the Seasiders.

The former England and Liverpool midfielder left Blackpool in January 2014 after less than a year in charge, becoming the club’s fourth-shortest-serving manager.

Under his management, Blackpool won 12 out of 42 games and, at the time of his sacking, the club had won just two points from their last 12 games.

Prior to his move to Reading, it was the 54-year-old’s last role in management.

How will the Seasiders line up?

After the disappointing performance and result against QPR in midweek, Neil Critchley would be well in his rights to make a few changes for today’s encounter.

In defence, a lot will depend on whether Marvin Ekpiteta is fit enough to feature, otherwise Oliver Casey could continue alongside Jordan Thorniley.

Reece James has struggled a little since returning from his injury, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dujon Sterling return at left-back and Jordan Gabriel continue at right-back.

That’s assuming Pool revert back to 4-4-2, which of course isn’t set in stone.

Kevin Stewart will be pushing to reclaim his place in the side after being given a rest in midweek. If he does, he’ll surely partner Kenny Dougall, who was Blackpool’s standout performer against QPR.

Who gets the nod on the left wing, CJ Hamilton, Charlie Kirk or Owen Dale, is anyone’s guess, while Shayne Lavery and Jerry Yates will be battling it out to partner Gary Madine in attack.

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