Blackpool squad news V Wigan Athletic: 11 set to be unavailable for EFL Trophy test

Blackpool have a large number of players unavailable for the start of their EFL Trophy campaign.

The Seasiders kick off the group stages with a trip to the Brick Community Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic, with home games against Crewe and Aston Villa U21s coming next month.

Like previous years, this competition could provide opportunities for youngsters, alongside giving some first-team players the chance to stake a claim in the team.

Here’s the latest squad news:

Bailey Peacock-Farrell (International duty)

Bailey Peacock-Farrell is among three first-team players on international duty, with the goalkeeper selected by Northern Ireland.

Dion Charles (International duty)

Dion Charles is also part of Michael O'Neill’s squad for the next three weeks.

The Blackpool pair will come up against Georgia on the road (September 25) and at home (October 5) throughout the start of the Nations League campaign.

In between those fixtures, the Green and White Army also welcome Hungary to Windsor Park (September 28), before taking on Ukraine at the Štadión Antona Malatinského in Slovakia.

Karoy Anderson (International duty)

Karoy Anderson is the third Seasiders figure on international duty after being selected by Jamaica.

The Reggae Boyz are in Concacaf Nations League action throughout the upcoming international window, taking on Guatemala (September 26) in Kingston, before meetings with Honduras home (September 29) and away (October 6) either side of a trip to El Salvador (October 3).

CJ Hamilton (Out)

CJ Hamilton was handed a major blow at the start of them month. After being introduced off the bench against Barnsley, the wing-back suffered a serious knee injury in a challenge, with a 10-12 week spell on the sidelines issued.

George Honeyman (Out)

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

The 31-year-old will has missed the games since, but is set to be available again on 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 - and is among those who could be back for a trip to Cambridge United in October.

Dale Taylor (Out)

Dale Taylor has also missed the start of the season due to a hamstring injury, but is back on the grass as well and is also expected to be back available for the game at the Abbey Stadium on October 10.

Hayden Coulson (Out)

Hayden Coulson suffered a dead leg last month, and has missed the last few games as a result.

Like Honeyman, Ennis and Taylor, Blackpool will use the international break to build up his fitness again before reintroducing him to competitive action.

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 has been forced to wear a protective boot in recent times, with no definitive date set for his return.

Michael Ihiekwe (Out)

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

Like Horsfall, no date has been set for the 33-year-old’s to return to action.

Oluchi Nwankwo (Out)

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

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