Blackpool boss makes striker admission following injury to ex-Nottingham Forest man
Blackpool will be looking to do their fair share of business in the January transfer window.
Blackpool find themselves a striker down for the foreseeable following Dale Taylor’s recent injury blow.
On what was his first start since October after coming back from a hamstring issue, the summer signing was forced off six minutes into the Boxing Day clash against Doncaster Rovers.
After making an impact off the bench with a goal and an assist in the game prior against Wigan Athletic, it looked as if Taylor’s Seasiders career was about to lift off, but instead he has now been hit with a three-month spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a broken metatarsal.
With Niall Ennis still working his way back to full fitness after his own injury woes, Blackpool currently only have Tom Bloxham and Ashley Fletcher up front.
Discussing if the injury to Taylor would influence the Fylde Coast outfit’s transfer business, head coach Ian Evatt said: “A striker is absolutely on the agenda. We need one - Blocko and Fletch need some support.
“We’re doing our best to strengthen. We need to, we absolutely need to. We’ve got a clear plan and idea. The conversations I’ve had with David (Downes), the recruitment team and Simon (Sadler) - everyone knows where we stand on the same page.
“We’re just trying to work hard to get what we need done.”
Latest on Ennis
Niall Ennis, who made the permanent move to Bloomfield Road from Stoke City in the summer, has been out of action since September due to an achilles problem.
During a loan spell with the Seasiders in the second half of last season, the ex-Blackburn Rovers and Plymouth forward was on hand with seven goals, while this term he has found the back of the net three times in six outings - meaning his presence has certainly been missed on the Fylde Coast.
In the last few weeks, Blackpool have been boosted in several areas with a number of key players returning to action, with Ennis being next in line - but patience may be required.
“He’s just been ticked off with the late stage rehab, but obviously he’s going to be fresh into training and we’re going to have to reintegrate him slowly,” Evatt said.
“Getting him up to match fitness and match sharpness will take time so we can’t put too much pressure on him.
“We don’t have the size of squad to play players in a reserve game or to set up a friendly - we have to get them fit on the training pitch or in games where points are at stake. It can be complex and difficult.
“We’ll do the best we can, and hopefully he’ll be back sooner rather than later, but we can’t put pressure on him at the moment, he needs time.”
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