Blackpool FC squad sealed with a Chris?

Former Crewe Alexandra central midfielder Atkinson has spent some time at Bloomfield Road over the summer with a view to joining the club.

He started in Saturday’s draw with League One club Bury as ‘Pool played their final pre-season game ahead of the big kick-off against Exeter at home on Saturday.

Bowyer was pleased to get another look at the 24-year-old in competitive action but was coy on whether the midfielder’s future lies on the Fylde coast.

He said: “Chris Atkinson has been with us for a week now and it was an opportunity to see him closer (against Bury) and we will asses that from now.

“The one or two of the other (trialists) have just picked up knocks at the moment so it has just been a bit of bad luck from their point of view.”

Meanwhile Bowyer is set to name his captain ahead of Saturday’s game.

Danny Pugh, Tom Aldred and Jim McAlister have skippered the side during their recent pre-season friendlies.

Experienced left-back Andy Taylor is another player who could come into contention for the armband.

He said: “We’re happy with what we’ve got, but only one player wears the armband.

“In an ideal world you want 11 captains, you want 11 leaders on the pitch and 11 voices helping each other out and encouraging each other, making demands of each other. The names mentioned have got that.”

The arrival of at least one new player hasn’t been ruled out ahead of the new campaign getting underway.

Bowyer said: “You saw on Saturday that with a couple of injuries and a couple of illnesses how stretched we are.

“We’re trying to get one or two bodies in and it’d be great if we can do that.”