Early return of Blackpool keeper ruled out amid Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier
Blackpool have two players in World Cup qualifying action across the next week.
Blackpool goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell is on Northern Ireland duty this week.
The 29-year-old has featured regularly for his country throughout World Cup qualifying, adding another five caps to his overall tally of 53.
Michael O'Neill’s side finished third in Group A behind Germany and Slovakia last year, picking up nine points from their six outings.
This saw them placed in the play-off semi-finals, where they will play Italy in Bergamo on Thursday evening (K.O. 7.45pm).
The winner of that tie will then face the winner of Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina's match on Tuesday (March 31).
During that time, Blackpool are in action against Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon (K.O. 3pm) in a crucial clash at the bottom end of League One.
Even if Northern Ireland are eliminated from World Cup qualifying on Thursday evening, Peacock-Farrell will not be available for the Seasiders at the weekend.
It’s understood the Green and White Army’s camp will still run into next week regardless of the result against Italy.
Blackpool boss shares thoughts on international call-ups
Like Peacock-Farrell, Karoy Anderson is away on international duty this week.
The midfielder is part of the Jamaica squad for their meeting with New Caledonia at the Akron Stadium in Mexico on Friday (K.O. 3am), with the winner of that tie facing Congo DR on Tuesday for a place at the World Cup.
With two player unavailable to Blackpool for their meeting with Burton, head coach Ian Evatt has questioned the criteria for games to be called off during international windows.
In the third and fourth tier, three or more players must be selected by their respective nations for postponements to take place.
“At this key stage of the season, with the season on the line, how can we have two key players leave and you still have to play the game? - I just don’t get it, I just don’t understand it,” Evatt said.
“It has to be the way (that there’s a full break) because they’re key players for us. To lose two key players in a crucial weekend for a crucial fixture is hard.
“I don’t think it’s right or fair. It’s another opportunity for others to step up, and we need them to.
“We are where we are, and it’s not going to change for us now this week, so we’ll get on with it and the lads who get the opportunity will need to step up.”
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