Blackpool injury update issued with status of ex-Wigan Athletic man confirmed
Dale Taylor has endured a difficult first season with Blackpool.
A potential return date has been set for Blackpool striker Dale Taylor - with the striker looking to make his return to action this month.
Since making the move to Bloomfield Road for a substantial fee from Nottingham Forest in the summer, things haven’t gone to plan for the Northern Ireland international.
After struggling to find his form at the beginning of the season, he’s since been hit with two lengthy injuries.
On the back of a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, Taylor impressed with a goal and assist away to his former club Wigan Athletic before Christmas, but soon had his progress in Tangerine halted again, with the 22-year-old suffering a broken metatarsal on Boxing Day.
While the forward won’t be ready for the next couple of weeks, it’s hoped he could return to action this month.
Providing a squad update ahead of the Seasiders’ meeting with Wigan on Saturday, head coach Ian Evatt said: “We haven’t had any more injuries, which is a start. Dale Taylor is getting closer - it probably won’t be this week, but it’ll be more towards the Port Vale game (March 17) possibly.
“Michael Ihiekwe will be back for this weekend. We know where he’s at in terms of fitness with his toe, but needs must. He’s a very experienced player - and at the moment we need experience.
“Ryan Finnigan’s not too far away now, he should be back with the team next week.
“Joel Randall got some minutes on Saturday. He didn’t look himself, but that will help him move forwards.
“With everyone else, we know where we’re at. Andy Lyons is long-term, Albie Morgan is long-term, and we know the solution with the loan player.
“We are where we are, and now we’ve got 12 games to get the points required to stay away from trouble.”
Evatt admits the players who have recently returned to action need time to get fully up to speed, but is hopeful they can quickly get to where they need to be.
“When everyone sees he’s back fit, it doesn't necessarily mean he’s back ready to do himself justice,” he added.
“With where we are, and the situation we’re in, we haven’t got time to be able to get the players up to speed. We’ve got to be reliant on them hitting the ground running, that’s the nature of where we are right now.
“We’ll give them all of the support that’s needed to make sure they do the best they can as soon as they can.”
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