Blackpool boss Neil Critchley says defenders Teddy Howe and Jordan Thorniley can leave club

Neil Critchley says Teddy Howe and Jordan Thorniley are both free to leave Blackpool.
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Neither defender has made a single league appearance for the Seasiders this season, though they have had outings in the EFL Trophy.

Blackpool’s head coach insists there’s no problem with either player but concedes they are free to move on should another club come in for them.

Teddy Howe has not played a league game for Blackpool this seasonTeddy Howe has not played a league game for Blackpool this season
Teddy Howe has not played a league game for Blackpool this season
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Critchley told The Gazette: “They’ve played some games for us in the EFL Trophy and I’ve got to say there are no issues with them. But they know the situation as well.

“If an offer came in for them to go and play somewhere else on a regular basis ,then I think it’s something we’d be open to and they’d want to do because they’re not playing football at the moment.

“All footballers will tell you they want to play at 3pm on a Saturday. They want to have that chance to compete for three points, which they’re not doing at the moment.

“If that situation arose and everyone was happy with it, then we would be.”

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Both Howe and Thorniley arrived at Bloomfield Road last January under the management of Simon Grayson but have barely featured under Critchley.

Howe’s move followed two impressive performances against Blackpool in the FA Cup for Reading.

Thorniley, meanwhile, arrived to rave reviews from supporters of his old club Sheffield Wednesday but the centre-back has failed to make an impact on the Fylde coast.

One man who has already departed the club this month is Jamie Devitt, who had his contract cancelled by mutual consent, paving the way for his permanent switch to League Two side Barrow.

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The 30-year-old leaves Bloomfield Road without making a competitive appearance for the Seasiders.

Critchley said: “Dev was at Newport during the first half of the season after I worked with him during pre-season.

“He’s now got a chance to go and get regular football with Barrow.

“He’s living back up here as well, so that helps. It’s a contract until the end of next season as well, which secures his future a little bit with his family.

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“I wish Dev all the best and I hope he goes on to do really well at Barrow.

“I think he was a victim of circumstance a little bit – everything is not always in your control.

“He’s obviously had some injuries as well, which hasn’t helped him.

“But he’s fully fit now and he’s contributed a little bit at Newport, who are doing well.

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“Now he’s going to a manager in Michael Jolley who I know and I know he rates him highly.

“That’s the reason why he’s pursued getting Dev in, and I’m sure he’ll go there and show what a good player he is.”

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