Blackpool loan move will help Reading keeper’s quest for regular football

The Reading shot-stopper has joined the Seasiders on an initial seven-day loan following Chris Maxwell’s positive Covid-19 test.

The 29-year-old was due to make his debut on Boxing Day, only for Blackpool’s fixture to be postponed following a positive coronavirus test in the Rochdale camp.

Walker, who hasn’t made an appearance for the Royals this season, has been battling it out for Reading’s number two jersey.

The keeper, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign, will be looking to make an impression during his short stay.

“Maxi is unfortunately one of the players that has tested positive, he’s the captain of the team so we’ll miss him. We’ll miss his leadership, we’ll miss his voice,” Critchley said.

“We’ve had to act quickly, so there was a lot of communication within the club, a lot of phone calls and reaching out to people and Sam Walker has answered our SOS call. That’s great credit to Reading and to Sam.

“He’s an experienced goalkeeper, he’s got many, many league games under his belt and he’s keen to play some games for us, which is terrific.

“We really thank him for that, it’s brilliant for him and hopefully we can help him by putting him in the shop window for a few games.”

News of Walker’s arrival came after Blackpool announced youth team striker Ewan Bange had signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 19-year-old, who has scored 13 goals for the youth team so far this season, has signed an initial 18-month deal with the option to extend by a further year.

“It’s great for Ewan. It’s always a milestone in your young career when you sign your first professional contract,” Critchley said.

“It’s well deserved and you have to give credit, obviously, to all the academy staff who have worked with him through the years, because he joined when he was seven.

“To see a player come right through the academy from such a young age, and to get his contract, is a great achievement for Ewan and his family, but also great recognition of the work that has been done with him.

“It’s the first, hopefully, of many for him. The hard work starts now, but he’s had a great first half of the season with the youth team, and he’ll be looking to kick on in the second half of the season and progress further at the club.”

Having progressed through the academy to break into the youth team set-up at the age of 15, Bange has been a consistent performer for the Under-18s.

He also debuted for the first team in the EFL Trophy game against Carlisle United in October 2019.

A third-year scholar prior to signing this deal, Bange has netted three hat-tricks this term, with his most recent coming at Oldham Athletic earlier this month.

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