Blackpool squad news V Reading: Seven out of trip to Berkshire

Blackpool remain without a number of players heading into their meeting with Reading this weekend - but are set to welcome Ilmari Niskanen and Jordan Brown back into contention.

The Seasiders have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, picking seven points from their opening four games.

Their first defeat of the season came away to Barnsley on Wednesday night, with the Tykes picking up a 2-1 win at Oakwell.

Ian Evatt’s side do have positives to reflect on from South Yorkshire, and were ultimately undone by some poor moments in both boxes and what appeared to be a handball in the build-up to the Tykes’ winner.

Blackpool will be looking to bounce back at the Select Car Leasing Stadium against a Reading side who are fresh from a 5-0 victory over Mansfield Town.

The return of Niskanen and Brown comes as a boost, but several others are still unavailable.

Here’s the latest squad news:

CJ Hamilton (Out)

CJ Hamilton has been handed a major blow this week. After being introduced off the bench against Barnsley, the wing-back suffered a serious knee injury in a challenge, and will now be absent for 10-12 weeks.

George Honeyman (Out)

Skipper George Honeyman is also a casualty from Oakwell, with the midfielder flagging a calf problem at the beginning of the second half.

The 31-year-old will now be out of action until the opposite side of the international break.

Niall Ennis (Out)

Niall Ennis has missed the start of the League One campaign due to a hamstring injury, but has recently returned to the grass in training.

The problem was initially flagged against Grimsby Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup, but things proved to be more serious than initially thought.

Dale Taylor (Out)

Dale Taylor has also missed the start of the season due to a hamstring injury - and is set to be absent just slightly longer than Ennis in his recovery, but is also back on the grass.

Fraser Horsfall (Out)

Fraser Horsfall spent the summer working his way back to fitness after undergoing ankle surgery, but has since endured complications in his recovery.

The ex-Stockport County man is still expected to be in a protective boot for the next few weeks, and then will need time to get back up to match action.

Michael Ihiekwe (Out)

Like Horsfall, Michael Ihiekwe is also recovering from surgery, with a toe issue plaguing his first year in Tangerine.

While the defender is making progress, the Seasiders are taking a patient approach, with his loading currently being increased ahead of a hopeful return to training at some point this month.

Oluchi Nwankwo (Out)

Teenager Oluchi Nwankwo was forced off in the second half of Blackpool’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers last month due to a knee problem.

The contact injury is set to keep the defender out until next month based on the original diagnosis.