Blackpool may try to keep emergency signing Sam Walker if Chris Maxwell does not recover quickly from Covid

The Reading goalkeeper was brought in on a seven-day deal last Wednesday, after Pool number one Maxwell tested positive for Covid-19 alongside teammate Matty Virtue.

Walker was due to make his debut at Rochdale on Boxing Day, but that fixture was called off on Christmas Day due to a positive test within the Dale camp.

The 29-year-old will start in goal for the Seasiders at Shrewsbury Town tonight and is due to return to Reading tomorrow.

But when asked if the shot-stopper’s loan deal could be extended for a further seven days, Critchley told The Gazette: “Possibly, yes. We’ll have to look at it.

“If Maxi is allowed to return to training on Thursday, that would only leave him one or two training sessions leading into the game against Bristol Rovers on the Saturday.

“You’ve also got to be mindful that he’s tested positive for Covid and sometimes it takes longer to get over this virus than you might think.

“It’s in your system and it can definitely have an effect on your fatigue, and on your physical fitness and wellbeing, so we have to be mindful of that.”

The postponement of last Saturday’s game will have been especially disappointing for Walker, who could end up departing Bloomfield Road having only made one appearance.

“It’s been really frustrating for Sam,” Critchley added.

“It was his little boy’s birthday on Christmas Eve and his wife is 36 weeks pregnant.

“He could quite easily have stayed at home and had a nice Christmas but he wanted to play some games.

“I was really disappointed for him that the game didn’t go ahead on Boxing Day because he’s shown an unbelievable appetite to come and play football.

“Because of that we wanted to have the game on to help him. That’s not been the case but fingers crossed it happens against Shrewsbury.”

Maxwell and Virtue, who both returned their positive tests during time off following the draw at Accrington Stanley on December 19, are unavailable for tonight’s trip to Shropshire.

But as long as they test negative at the end of the month and feel ready to return to action, they could be involved at Bristol Rovers this weekend.

Critchley said: “They’re due to see the doctor on New Year’s Eve.

“They’re both feeling okay but they have had symptoms, although they are clearing up.

“We hope that on December 31, when they have to go through the returning-to-training protocol, they will get the green light.

“Then we’ll assess them ourselves when they get back into the building.”

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