Blackpool hope to have striker available for weekend clash

The Seasiders are back in action on Saturday, looking to bounce back from Easter Monday’s loss at Stevenage.

That defeat left them two points clear of the relegation positions with four games remaining.

The first of those is against a Peterborough side in 13th place, three points above the Seasiders with two matches in hand.

Fletcher was the only one of Blackpool’s strikers to start both Easter fixtures, teaming up with Tom Bloxham against Exeter City on Good Friday and then Niall Ennis on Monday.

Speaking before training on Thursday morning, the Seasiders’ head coach confirmed the latest injury position at Bloomfield Road.

Evatt said: “I think we’re all good. The only slight one is Ashley Fletcher has a bit of a stiff back – but I don’t envisage that being an issue.

“A lot of players have been managing issues all season.

“I know we aren’t the only team that has that, a lot of teams will be doing the same.

“Sometimes, when performances dip, there’s some context behind that and supporters don’t get to see what we see.

“The injury situation this season has really hampered us and it’s not really got better.

“We have to get the players available in the right frame of mind and in the right condition to execute the game plan.”

Andy Lyons is back training, having been out with an Achilles injury since the 2-1 defeat at Barnsley in mid-January.

Josh Bowler’s hamstring issue will continue to be monitored, just in case Blackpool’s league position might warrant bringing him back.

Asked if Bowler’s season was over, Evatt said: “‘Unsure’ is the answer. He’s got an issue there and it’s a significant enough issue that it’s a bit of a risk and reward situation at the moment.

“We don’t feel like the risk is worth taking but we’ll monitor it and see how he evolves, if he feels better.

“If he feels like he can do it, there’s every chance we will do that. At the moment, he’s not in a position (to return).”