Karoy Anderson became Blackpool’s third signing of the summer last week.

Ian Evatt was impressed by the way Karoy Anderson pulled through his first outing since returning to Blackpool.

The midfielder enjoyed a successful loan stint with the Seasiders in the second half of last season, with an undisclosed fee agreed with Charlton Athletic last week to get him back in Tangerine on a permanent basis.

Anderson’s first outing since penning a four-year deal, which includes a 12-month option, came in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Barrow at Holker Street.

“I’m just so happy to see him back and see his energy,” Evatt said after the pre-season friendly.

“I thought he was great today, bearing in mind he’s only played 45 minutes so far.

“Ideally, I wouldn’t have played him that long, but against that type of physicality, it’s hard to give the young kids too much exposure to that when they’re not ready for it.

“The types of Theo (Upton) and Oluchi (Nwankwo) have been with us a while so they can cope with it, but for some of the others it’s just too much too soon.

“Rather than throw them to the slaughter, it was about using Karoy with his fitness levels anyway to get what we needed out of today.”

placeholder image — Ian Evatt | Gareth Evans / Blackpool FC

There’s still plenty of work for Blackpool to do this summer, with current injuries highlighting shortages in certain key areas.

“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know where we’re light at the moment,” Evatt added.

“This is a squad that is very light, but it’s not light when everyone’s back is available and healthy either, and that’s what we must remember.

“It’s frustrating to lose football matches, but this isn’t do or die today, it’s do or die in two or three weeks time, and that’s what we’re preparing for.”