Blackpool front man looks forward to training again

The 29-year-old was the first Seasider back on the Bloomfield Road pitch this week as he modelled the new home kit during Monday’s press launch.

Back at Blackpool since 2017, following three previous stints, Delfouneso has felt the loss of his day-to-day normality as much as anyone over the past four months.

He said of that absence from the training ground: “It can be challenging when you’re used to such a routine and you get taken out of it. You don’t have a target to reach in terms of when you’re coming back.

“When you don’t know if the season is going to restart or if you will be waiting until next season, it can be difficult at times.

“When you’re doing a workout, you don’t know if you’re doing too much or too little.

“But in another way it was a blessing because I got the chance to spend time with my son, a sustained period of time that I’ve never had before. That was a definite positive.”

Another positive was the support of the Seasiders’ staff as he explained: “The pandemic has obviously made things difficult, so everything has been done from afar, especially the work we’ve done with the sports scientist Ross (Jones).

“He’s been a massive help for us, so full credit to him. He’s been in regular touch and has helped with the mental side as well as the physical side. The support they’ve given has been first-class, so I must thank them for that.”

But now the squad is back together again, Delfouneso is ready to “crack on”.

He added: “It was very long but I’m keen to get back doing what I love to do.

“Obviously it can be difficult when you’re on your own and away from the players for such a long time.

“Initially it was a three-week lockdown and you’re thinking, ‘We might be able to come back’, but then it got extended again and extended again. It was very challenging.

“It was especially difficult because there was no target to reach. It wasn’t like we knew when we would be returning, so we couldn’t really prepare properly.

“To play football, to pass and shoot, kick the ball and to have the ball at your feet... it might sound silly but I’m just desperate to get back to that footballing environment.

“I’m keen to get back and hopefully get the season started as soon as possible.”