Blackpool boss shares hope for Bolton Wanderers loanee as return approaches
Joel Randall has returned to Blackpool training this week.
Blackpool are set to welcome Joel Randall back to action away to Lincoln City this weekend - but caution will be taken with the Bolton Wanderers loanee.
The 26-year-old made the move to Bloomfield Road last month, on a deal until the end of the season.
After impressing on his debut in Tangerine, his second outing for the club was brought to an early conclusion due to a hamstring issue - which has kept him on the sidelines since.
Randall is a player Seasiders head coach Ian Evatt has been keen to work with for a while.
The 44-year-old signed the midfielder for a big fee from Peterborough United during his time in charge of Bolton, but only remained in charge at the Toughsheet Community Stadium for a matter of weeks after the deal was complete.
Evatt is hopeful the final stages of the current campaign will give him an opportunity to work with Randall for an extended period of time, and help him to rediscover his best form.
“He trained yesterday, so he’s all good - there’s no issues there,” the Blackpool boss said.
“I know him well, I spent a lot of time looking at him before we signed him at Bolton. I knew all about him when he signed here.
“I thought he was great in his first game, but then he obviously got injured in his second.
“There’s still 13 games left, so there’s a long way to go. We just can’t rush him, and expect him to do too much too soon.
“I think we’ll see the best of him. For now, it’s great to have him back and to work with him - he provides a different option to what we have.
“It wasn’t so long ago he was one of the best players in the league. People talk about the semi-final here against Peterborough in the cup, and what he did in that game. He’s a top talent, and we’re fortunate to have him.
“It’s my job to have him back to where he was during that period of his career.”
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