Blackpool look set to bring in Arsenal defender and Northern Ireland international on loan

Blackpool look set to bring in Arsenal defender Dan Ballard on loan for the remainder of the season.
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Rotherham United defender Curtis Tilt linked with shock return to Blackpool

The Guardian are reporting that the centre-back is close to sealing a move to Bloomfield Road, having first been linked with the Seasiders last month.

The 21-year-old, who often captains Arsenal’s Under-23 side, was tellingly absent from their squad for their game against Chelsea at the weekend.

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Ballard made three appearances on loan with Swindon Town last season, a spell where his gametime was hampered by a serious knee injury.

The defender was recently called up to Northern Ireland’s senior squad for their upcoming triple header against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria and Norway.

Ballard, who is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, has already been capped on two occasions by his national team.

He played against Blackpool's youth team in 2018 during their impressive run to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, where they were subsequently knocked out by the Gunners.

Could Ballard be the answer to Blackpool's defensive problems?Could Ballard be the answer to Blackpool's defensive problems?
Could Ballard be the answer to Blackpool's defensive problems?
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While today is the deadline to complete international transfers, this move doesn’t necessarily have to be completed right away as English clubs have until October 16 to trade with one another.

Speculation linking Ballard with a switch to Bloomfield Road comes as former Seasider Curtis Tilt has also been mentioned as a shock potential arrival.

The Sun are reporting that Blackpool are keen to bring the defender back to the Fylde coast, having only sold him to the Millers during the January transfer window for a six-figure fee.

But Tilt, who is only just recovering from hip surgery, now finds himself well down the pecking order at the New York Stadium, with Michael Ihiekwe, Angus MacDonald, Richard Wood and former Seasider Clark Robertson all ahead of him.

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It’s understood Rotherham are willing to loan Tilt out but the player himself wants to remain in South Yorkshire to prove himself in the Championship.

Blackpool are known to be keen to reinforce their options in the centre of defence, a view that will have only been reinforced by Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Lincoln City.

Tilt, who has been back training with the Millers for a couple of weeks, made just one appearance for Paul Warne’s side last season and has yet to feature during this campaign.

The 29-year-old made 111 appearances for Blackpool during his two-and-a-half years with the club.