Blackpool FC: Neil Critchley provides injury update ahead of Carlisle United game- and admits postponed FA Cup tie put some behind schedule

The second round tie was called off at late notice due to a FA investigation concerning the Gloucestershire club.

This related to the use of an ineligible player in their first round meeting with Scarborough Athletic, with David Horseman’s side admitting the charge.

Following the investigation, it has been announced that Forest Green will now replay their fixture against the non-league side on December 12, with the winner of that match taking on the Seasiders the following week on December 19.

Critchley states the postponement impacted a number of his players, including a summer recruit awaiting their first start for the club.

"We’d planned for the game accordingly and we wanted to get players much-needed minutes on the pitch,” he explained.

"You can work hard in training but that’s no substitute for being out there. It would’ve been an ideal opportunity to play some of the players that haven’t featured recently but it still would’ve been a strong team I hope would’ve won us the game.

"Kyle (Joseph) could’ve started in that match, as well as one or two others. The fixture not being there had a knock on effect.”

Blackpool have been without their captain Ollie Norburn for the majority of games since the end of October.

The midfielder initially had a neck problem, before suffering a knock to his ribs on his return to action against Bolton Wanderers.

“He’s getting better all of time, it’s just pain management with Norbs,” Critchley added.

"He was still struggling last week. He was in the sessions but you could see he wasn’t quite happy with contact, and he was trying to protect himself a little bit.

"He’s desperate to play and get back involved- it’s just about when he feels ready. He’s looking more comfortable now, and if that decision was for this weekend then I think he’d be ready to play. He knows he’s got competition as well and that he might need to wait to get into the team.”

Heading into this weekend’s game against Carlisle United, Kylian Kouassi and Shayne Lavery remain the Seasiders’ only long-term absentees following Matty Virtue’s return to action in the EFL Trophy tie against Barnsley.