Blackpool v Reading: Early team and injury news as 7 out and 1 doubt for Bloomfield Road contest
Blackpool return to League One action this weekend and face Reading at Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool are back at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon as they face early-relegation rivals Reading.
After away trips to Burton Albion and Leyton Orient, the Seasiders return to the Fylde Coast for the first time in three weeks and welcome the struggling Royals.
Ian Evatt’s men will be hoping to pick up their first win since the 3-1 triumph against Cardiff City earlier this month, with a win potentially moving them out of the relegation zone.
Reading, meanwhile, head into this weekend’s round of fixtures just three points above Blackpool in the table after a slow start to the new campaign, which also saw the arrival of Leam Richardson in October.
We’ve taken a look at the early team and injury news from both camps ahead of Saturday’s League One contest.
Blackpool team news
Josh Bowler - Out
The winger suffered a calf injury during the triumph over Cardiff City earlier in the month. He was withdrawn during the second period at the Cardiff City Stadium and has missed Blackpool’s previous three matches.
Albie Morgan - Out
Morgan has been out of action for the Seasiders’ past six games in all competitions due to a calf issue picked up against Wycombe Wanderers last month. Evatt has admitted the midfielder isn’t far away from a potential return.
Niall Ennis - Out
A calf problem has kept the summer signing out of action since September and has been unavailable during Evatt’s time at Bloomfield Road. The striker isn’t expected to return just yet but is progressing in his recovery.
Danny Imray - Out
Imray sustained a knee injury against Luton Town in September, which forced the right-back to return to parent club Crystal Palace to help with his recovery. The defender is back training on the Fylde Coast, with Evatt admitting he is in line to complete his comeback shortly.
Dale Taylor - Out
Taylor isn’t far away from a return to action, according to the Blackpool boos ahead of Saturday’s game against Reading. The striker has missed more than a month of action due to a hamstring issue, which was picked up in the warm-up against Stockport County.
Reading team news
Jack Marriott - Doubt
Marriott, who’s netted five goals in seven League One outings for Reading this term, is touch-and-go for the trip to Bloomfield Road. The striker has missed the Royals’ previous five matches with a hamstring injury.
Liam Fraser - Out
Fraser is progressing well, according to Richardson, and has been back on the grass ahead of this weekend’s contest. The Reading boss is unwilling to put a timeframe on the midfielder’s return as he continues to recover from an unspecified injury.
Ben Elliott - Out
The defender appeared to limp off with a hamstring issue against Doncaster Rovers earlier in the month, which has forced him out of Reading’s previous three matches.