Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta misses Portsmouth match and awaits scan

The 24-year-old, who is the only Pool player to have started every league game so far this season, has been ruled out of tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth after suffering the knock during Tuesday’s 1-0 home win against Rochdale.

Having already been in the wars with a head collision – he played on with his head bandaged – Ekpiteta left the pitch clutching his hamstring early in the second half.

Head coach Neil Critchley said yesterday: “He’s going to have a scan tomorrow morning. It’s still sore from Tuesday night, so we have to give it a chance to settle down and stop any sort of bleeding to give us a good guide from the scan.

“We probably won’t know the extent of the injury until Friday evening or late afternoon

“He’ll definitely be out on Saturday, though. It’s a blow, of course it is, because he’s been outstanding this season.

“His performances have improved. He’s really taken to the level, which is something he’s done throughout his career every time he’s stepped up. He’s always adapted, coped and thrived.

“He’ll be a big miss but we’ve got some able deputies as well.”

Blackpool struggled at first when Ekpiteta went off but they held on to grind out a vital three points.

Critchley opted to move James Husband from left-back to right-sided centre-back alongside Jordan Thorniley.

Luke Garbutt came off the bench to replace Ekpiteta and performed solidly at left-back.

Critchley explained: “When Marvin goes off you have to decide who to bring on or how best to adjust the team.

“We felt Hubby going in there would be the best equipped to deal with Stephen Humphrys, who was playing on that side and peeling off into that corridor.

“He likes to peel off between the right-sided centre-half and the right-back and we thought Hubby was the best man to deal with that.

“Not only that, we wanted his aerial ability and I thought Hubby went in there and did a great job.

“I also felt Garbs came in at left-back and also made a difference.”

Critchley’s side will be looking to complete a league double over Portsmouth tomorrow, having beaten them 1-0 at Bloomfield Road in December thanks to a Keshi Anderson strike.

Kenny Jackett’s side, who suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers in midweek, remain fourth in League One.

They are four points adrift of the automatic promotion places and 11 points above Blackpool, having played two games more.

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