Blackpool head coach may have to enter the January transfer window

The Seasiders’ boss has previously admitted the club is unlikely to be too busy in the market this month, although he conceded there may be one or two players coming in and one or two leaving.

However, with Keshi Anderson now out for the season after undergoing surgery, CJ Hamilton also sidelined with a hamstring injury and former loanee Dan Kemp departing, that leaves Blackpool short in the attacking third of the pitch.

When asked if there’s now more urgency to make additions, Critchley told The Gazette: “We’re looking. It doesn’t take Einstein to work out where we might be short, so we’re looking.

“January is notoriously difficult to do business, but we’ve got a couple of irons in the fire.

“We’re looking all the time and something could happen.If it does, great. Hopefully it’s soon.”

Kemp, who was due to spend the entirety of the season on loan with Pool, was recalled by his parent club West Ham United last week.

It paved the way for the 22-year-old to make a permanent switch to League Two side Leyton Orient, who handed the winger his debut off the bench in their 2-0 win against Morecambe on Saturday.

Kemp, who scored two goals in 15 appearances during his loan spell at Bloomfield Road, left with Critchley’s best wishes.

“Kempy had a really good offer from Leyton Orient and at this moment in time, a two-and-a-half-year contract with the situation we’re in was too good to turn down,” Pool’s head coach said.

“It’s obviously back down south, near where he’s living as well.

“I was delighted to work with Kempy, he’s a top boy, a really good kid. He was great to coach and great to work with and I hope he shows what he’s capable of in the future.”

The Seasiders will now need to make a decision over the future of Ben Woodburn, whose loan spell from Liverpool came to an end yesterday.

The Welshman performed well off the bench in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Hull City but has struggled to make an impact since joining the club at the start of the season.

Pool, however, might need to keep hold of the 21-year-old and extend his loan until the end of the season given their lack of options in the forward areas.

“That’s a discussion we’re going to have now. We wanted to get through this game and see where we’re at,” Critchley said on Saturday.

“I thought Ben came on and did really well, he made a real difference. He looked bright and burst in behind to get the lad (Reece Burke) sent off. He also produced some good crosses and deliveries.

“That’s a discussion we’re going to have now and we’ll see what happens with him.”

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