Blackpool boss Neil Critchley honest and open with loaned pair Ben Garrity and Joe Nuttall

The duo became the 16th and 17th players to leave Bloomfield Road this summer.

Garrity has joined League Two side Oldham Athletic on loan, with Nuttall making the move to Blackpool’s League One rivals Northampton Town.

Garrity, who joined the Seasiders in January, scored on his debut for Oldham in their 3-0 Carabao Cup win against Carlisle United last weekend.

Nuttall is yet to make his bow for the Cobblers, having missed their 3-0 first-round win over Cardiff City due to injury.

Both players would have been considered as back-up had they remained at Bloomfield Road and Critchley felt it was only right to be open and honest with the duo.

“It’s something we’ve spoken about with those boys,” Pool’s head coach told The Gazette.

“Ben was desperate to play. He wants to keep playing football because he loves the game.

“I couldn’t guarantee him starting and having minutes consistently this season, so I think this is a really good move for him to play in the Football League.

“I think it bridges that gap from where he’s come from to where he wants to go, so I’m really interested to see how he’ll do at Oldham.

“With Joe, he’ll go to Northampton and be one of their main men up front. We couldn’t guarantee him that.

“Joe has been great around the place. He’s a really good professional and we wish him all the best for the season.”

Jamie Devitt, meanwhile, remains a Blackpool player despite being recently told by Critchley that he has a few weeks to “sort out” his future.

The 30-year-old didn’t feature in the recent games against Liverpool and Stoke City.

The midfielder is yet make a competitive appearance for the Seasiders and is the only Blackpool player not to have been given a squad number.

He has changed his Twitter profile picture to one from his time as captain of former club Carlisle United.

Clubs in the EFL have until October 16 to complete their transfer deals and Pool will be hoping to move the midfielder on to free up space and funds for further reinforcements.

The attacking midfielder has been linked with a move back to Brunton Park, while Ian Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers and fellow League Two newcomers Tranmere Rovers have also been mentioned as possible destinations.

When asked if progress had been made over the past week, Critchley told The Gazette: “No, there’s no update. There’s no different news to the last time we spoke.”