Blackpool boss Neil Critchley on James Husband's injury, Jordan Thorniley's late call-up and why Matty Virtue was preferred to Kenny Dougall

The defender was due to start the game at centre-back for the Seasiders alongside Dan Ballard, only to exit the warm-up early clutching his right leg.

Husband was taken out of the team and left out, with substitute Jordan Thorniley taking his spot in the team and Nathan Shaw coming onto the bench.

“He just felt his calf in the warm-up, so we didn’t want to take a risk. It was quite an easy decision really,” Critchley explained.

“Jordan Thorniley had been excellent in the games he played and it’s another left-footed, pretty much like-for-like change.

“I have to say, for Jordan to come in as late as he did, his performance was nearly faultless and perfect, he was excellent.

“We’ll know more about Hubby on Sunday. It’s a bit sore at the moment, but hopefully a bit of ice and rest will help it settle down before Tuesday night.

“But I’ll know a lot more in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

Blackpool had made just one change to the side that beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park last weekend, with Matty Virtue coming into the side in place of Kenny Dougall.

It was a change that paid dividends, with Virtue scoring Blackpool’s second goal of the afternoon with a stunning long-range strike.

“We know what Matty can do, he can score goals from midfield,” Critchley said.

“Whether that’s from the right or in a three-man midfield or in a two, he can run without the ball into the box or he can drive forward with the ball and score goals.

“That’s what he brings to the team, that added goal threat.

“We just felt his energy and legs in the middle of the pitch would be important for us and it also gave Kenny a little bit of a rest.

“But I wouldn’t want to say because Matty scored a goal it justified that selection, you always have to look at the whole 90 minutes, rather than one kick of the ball.”

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