Blackpool boss can't wait to see new signing 'get stuck in'

Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer says he can't wait to start working with the club's latest recruit Ian Black.
Ian Black playing for Shrewsbury this seasonIan Black playing for Shrewsbury this season
Ian Black playing for Shrewsbury this season

The former Rangers midfielder signed for the club prior to Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Crewe Alexandra but was ineligible to play.

The 31-year-old free agent has agreed a deal that will run until the end of the season following his release from League One side Shrewsbury Town last month.

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Bowyer says he brought Black in to bolster his midfield options following recent injuries to Jim McAlister and Neil Danns, which left him short of options in the centre of the park.

The Pool boss said: “Jim is out for the season, so obviously we’ve had to bring someone in who’s going to bring the same fighting qualities to us.

“I can’t wait for Ian to start working for us and I look forward to seeing him get stuck in.”

Black, who made 59 appearances in an 18-month spell at Greenhous Meadow, previously spent time in his native Scotland with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hearts and Rangers, winning the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle and two promotions at Ibrox.

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The central midfielder is not afraid to get stuck in and that’s a quality Blackpool have been lacking according to Bowyer, especially in the Saturday’s disappointing draw.

“I know exactly what Ian will give us,” Bowyer added. “He’s a winner and he won’t stand for what we saw against Crewe.”

The Seasiders will be without centre-back Tom Aldred for the next two games after the defender picked up his 10th booking of the season against Crewe.

The 26-year-old was replaced by Eddie Nolan in the second half after suffering a knock but it isn’t thought to be too serious.

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Bowyer said: “It’s just a bit of a thigh strain for Tom and it was disappointing to lose him. We needed people to step forward when he went off and alarmingly they didn’t.

“It’s something we have to be able to deal with because we have two games coming up where we’ll be without him because he’s been booked, though it was never a booking.

“But we’re going to have to find a solution for that. We’ve got to regroup and we’ve got to respond quickly. We’ve got a third of the season left and we’ve got to do a lot better than we did against Crewe.”

Striker Kyle Vassell, who remains Pool’s top scorer despite failing to score in any of his last 13 games, was also brought off as a precaution after a recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him out of action earlier in the month.

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Bowyer said: “There was a bit of tightness but that’s why you have to look after him.”

Pool have cut the admission price to £5 for their home clash with Hartlepool on Saturday March 25, when juniors will be admitted for £1.