Blackpool boss issues injury latest as he shares delight for ex-Leyton Orient man

Blackpool take on Bromley at Bloomfield Road this weekend.

Blackpool are set to be boosted by the return of several figures during the upcoming international break.

The Seasiders’ meetings with Notts County (September 26) and Leicester City (October 3) have both been postponed due to call-ups in Ian Evatt’s squad.

While this will offer a breather for some of the players who have featured regularly at the start of the current campaign, it’ll also allow those who have been absent to get closer to action.

CJ Hamilton is the only long-term absentee due to a knee injury, while the current return dates of both Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe remain unknown.

There was a boost last weekend against Reading, with both Jordan Brown and Ilmari Niskanen returning to action off the bench.

It is hoped that Hayden Coulson, George Honeyman, Niall Ennis and Dale Taylor will all swiftly follow the pair in being available again over the next month.

“There’s nothing different to last week - we’ve got CJ (Hamilton) missing for a period, but Jordan (Brown) and Ilmari (Niskanen) are getting everyday, and are pushing to be back in the starting 11 on Saturday,” head coach Evatt said ahead of Blackpool’s meeting with Bromley this weekend.

“We’ve had news of the international call-ups, so those two games being postponed will enable us to have four or five back in that period.

“Dale (Taylor), Niall (Ennis), George (Honeyman) and Hayden (Coulson) will certainly be back, so that’s probably helped us a little.

“It gives the opportunity to get people up to speed and fit again, so we’ll utilise that time to make sure they’re ready to play again.”

While the majority of the players are returning from injury, Brown’s comeback follows a spell on the sidelines after suffering a seizure in the opening league game of the season against Wycombe.

The former Leyton Orient man was forced to miss several weeks of action after spending time in hospital, before undergoing further tests.

“I’m really pleased for him because it was a scary moment for him and his family - it was scary for us all,” Evatt added.

“He’s recovered great and is training really well. It’s great to have him back, and good that he’s shown a real strong side of his character to recover against something so serious.”

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