Blackpool hoping for good news on Marvin Ekpiteta as Neil Critchley provides update on Arsenal loanee Dan Ballard

The centre-back was forced to hobble off the pitch last night during Blackpool’s scrappy, hard-earned 1-0 win against Rochdale.

The 25-year-old, who was already sporting a head bandage following a collision with Rochdale striker Stephen Humphrys, left the pitch clutching his hamstring.

When asked about Ekpiteta’s injury straight after last night’s game, Critchley said: “I’ve not spoken to the physio yet or Marvin, but it looks like it’s his hamstring which will be a blow.

“Fingers crossed we get some good news on that because he’s been outstanding for us this season. That would certainly put a dampener on the three points.”

Ekpiteta, Blackpool’s latest victim of hamstring trouble, is now likely to be missing for Saturday’s trip to Portsmouth.

With fellow centre-back Dan Ballard a surprise absence from Blackpool’s squad last night and Daniel Gretarsson already sidelined by injury, that could leave the Seasiders short in that area of the pitch.

But Critchley played down speculation that Ballard had picked up a niggle, revealing the Arsenal loanee was simply left out for tactical reasons.

“Dan is fine,” Pool’s head coach said.

“We wanted to go with more attacking options on the bench knowing Hubby (James Husband) could go inside and play centre-half if need be, which was needed.

“I thought he was excellent when he went there and Garbs (Luke Garbutt) was excellent when he came on at left-back.

“Turts (Ollie Turton) can play at centre-half as well, so that was just a tactical reason.”

The Seasiders were also left sweating on Tuesday night when goalkeeper Chris Maxwell required medical attention.

Pool’s skipper took a knock to his right hand after clearing the ball away from his six-yard box, but was able to play on for the remainder of the game.

“Maxi is fine,” Critchley said. “He had to deal with quite a lot of set-pieces in and around his six-yard box, especially in the second-half.

“He dealt with them really well, but one of their lads has caught him on the finger as he’s trying to clear the ball or pick it up.

“But he’s fine, there’s no issues.”

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