Blackpool remain in the hunt for new additions

Everton striker Ellis Simms became their first addition of the window earlier this week, arriving on loan until the end of the season.

With Dan Kemp, Ben Woodburn and Jamie Devitt departing recently, as well as injuries to Daniel Gretarsson, Keshi Anderson and CJ Hamilton, the Seasiders are still keen to bring in further reinforcements.

“We’re still looking, we’re still working,” Critchley said.

“I don’t think it will be wholesale changes, certainly not the quantity of numbers we’ve done in the past.

“But to identify players you think are going to improve your team is difficult because most of the players in January are in someone else’s team. They might have other options as well, so it’s not always that straightforward.

“There’s a lot that goes into recruitment in January but we’re working and we’ve still got room. We’re trying to strengthen in the areas we feel will help us in the second half of the season.”

Simms’ arrival adds competition to an area of the pitch Blackpool have been lacking in so far this season, scoring just 21 goals from their 21 league games.

Critchley admits it was only natural that the Seasiders wanted to bolster their forward line.

“With Ben Woodburn and Dan Kemp going, and with CJ Hamilton and Keshi Anderson out, we felt we were a little bit light in numbers at the top end of the pitch,” he added.

“But identifying the right ones, and they’ve got to want to come to you as well because they could have other options, a lot of things have to fall into place.

“But we think Ellis is ready and he provides something different for us that we haven’t already got within our squad.

“He’s got a good goalscoring record as well, so hopefully he can come here and score some goals for us.”

Simms is highly-rated at Goodison Park and has recently been training with Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team squad.

The 20-year-old is also one of the leading goalscorers in Under-23s football this season, hitting eight goals in 12 games for the Toffees.

The striker scored eight goals in 15 league games during the 2019/20 campaign and an incredible 32 goals in 21 league matches for Everton’s U18 side in 2018/19, which took his overall tally to 46 in all competitions that season.

“He had quite a few other clubs interested, so for him to choose us I’m really pleased about,” Critchley said.

“I’ve known him for quite a number of years. I’ve seen him play in Everton’s youth teams and I know he can bring something different to us at the top end of the pitch.

“He’s got a good goalscoring record, but the test for him now is to go and prove that in senior football.

“I wouldn’t have brought him here if I didn’t feel as though he was ready for the step up though.

“It’s a great opportunity for him and I’m looking forward to working with him. He’s a really nice, humble boy.

“We must thank Everton as well for entrusting us with his development over the next few months.”

Although Simms is yet to make his competitive debut for the Toffees, he was named among Ancelotti’s substitutes during their recent FA Cup victory against Rotherham United.

He was also named in Everton’s senior squad for the Premier League fixture against Sheffield United in July.

The frontman is eligible to make his Blackpool debut today in their FA Cup fourth round tie against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Prior to Simms’ arrival, the Seasiders only had two recognised number nines in Jerry Yates and Gary Madine.

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