Blackpool v Derby County: Live updates from the Seasiders' final home game of the season

Has Josh Bowler played his last game for Blackpool?

Neil Critchley told me he was rested at Barnsley on Tuesday, but he's only started one of the last six and has been left out for the second game running.

Neil Critchley, as he so often does, springs another surprise with his team selection, making five changes from the midweek win against Barnsley.

Marvin Ekpiteta is left out of the squad altogether, as are Matty Virtue, Josh Bowler and Jake Beesley.

Stuart Moore, Reece James and Ethan Robson are also left out of the 18.

On a more positive note, Dan Grimshaw and Sonny Carey return to be included among the substitutes.

Richard Keogh comes back into the side after being rested in midweek to face his former side, partnering Jordan Thorniley - who replaces Oliver Casey.

Keshi Anderson, CJ Hamilton and Gary Madine also come into the starting line-up, as Virtue, Owen Dale and Beesley drop out.

Both Jordan Gabriel and Dujon Sterling remain sidelined with injuries.

Derby, meanwhile, also make five changes from the side that lost 3-1 to Bristol City at home last weekend.

Wayne Rooney’s side, who have already been relegated to League One as a result of two points deductions, totalling 21 points, will be backed by almost 4,000 travelling fans this afternoon.

I feel like I say this every other week, but this might well be the most difficult Blackpool side I’ve had to predict this season.

For a start, there’s only two games remaining and there’s every chance Neil Critchley will freshen things up and hand some minutes to players with an eye on next season.

But there’s a number of deliberations to be made across the park, too.

While I expect Chris Maxwell to continue in goal, it appears Dan Grimshaw is back fit - so it can’t be discounted he makes a return.

In defence, Richard Keogh will be desperate to reclaim his spot in the centre to face his former side having been rested in midweek. But Oliver Casey will also be keen to show what he can do again after scoring his first goal for the club on a rare start against Barnsley.

Further forward, it will be interesting to see if Matty Virtue is picked again for the second time in just five days having only just returned from a 13-month lay-off. If he’s dropped, both Ethan Robson and Kevin Stewart could deputise, although the latter has only just returned from an injury of his own.

It will be absolutely fascinating to see whether Josh Bowler comes back into the squad after surprisingly being left out on Tuesday night. Owen Dale will be desperate to start again, but CJ Hamilton is also in the frame. Keshi Anderson and Charlie Kirk may well vie over the left-wing spot.

Up front, Gary Madine should return to the squad but it’s a toss of the coin whether he starts ahead of Jake Beesley - which also goes for Shayne Lavery or Jerry Yates alongside the preferred pick.

Here’s how we think the Seasiders might line up.

“I fully expect us to go to Blackpool and put in a good performance to try and change our away form,” Wayne Rooney said.

“We know there’s a lot of away fans going on Saturday and we want to try and bring those Derby fans back with three points.

“We know it will be a tough game, Blackpool are a tough team to play against. We know that.

“We will have to be ready to fight and battle, but also try and get the ball down and play the way we know we can and cause them problems.

“There will be two or three changes, but it will be a strong team and one that is more than capable of winning the game.

“The players know they’re not coming here to mess around and see the season out, they’re coming here to work.

“We’re representing a big club with a lot of fans who are paying good money to travel to home and away games. We have to respect that.

“It’s incredible really how many fans are travelling, it shows you what a big club this is. To get relegated and have 4,000 fans going to Blackpool for the last away game is incredible.

“I think it’s testament to the players as well, because I think the fans appreciate the work they’ve put in and it’s a chance for myself and the players to appreciate what the fans have done for us all season in terms of the support they’ve given us.

“It’s a special club with special fans and we can’t thank them enough for the support they’ve shown us.”