Could Blackpool host test event at Bloomfield Road to allow 1,000 fans to watch weekend game against Swindon Town?

The Robins make the trip to the Fylde coast this weekend as the Seasiders play host to a league game for the first time this season.

All competitive games have been played behind closed doors so far this term but clubs have recently been invited to apply to host test events during September with a limited capacity of 1,000.

While it’s not clear if Blackpool are among those to have applied, Wellens appears to have dropped a major hint that they have.

“I've heard there will be 1,000 fans there on Saturday,” he said in a press conference this morning previewing Saturday’s game.

The Gazette understands Blackpool are among those clubs to have registered an interest in holding a test event but are awaiting further news.

"It'll be a good game, I imagine they'll be expecting to be right up there at the end of the season," Wellens added.

“I went on loan to Blackpool and have got good memories at Blackpool.

“We've had such a turnaround of players that not many know of (Jerry) Yates and (Keshi) Anderson. We know what they are all about, but I hope they have absolute stinkers against us on Saturday.

"If we can keep the ball then we can cause them massive problems. It will be a tough game for us given the investment they have had.”

It comes after a number of Blackpool fans were wrongly sent emails on Tuesday allocating them seat numbers for this weekend’s ‘test event’.

“The club is aware that some supporters may have received an email this afternoon due to a technical error from Ticketmaster,” Blackpool FC said in a statement.

“Supporters who have received these emails should disregard them.

“As has been speculated in the news, the EFL and Government are in discussions regarding test events taking place in the near future, however, no definitive information has been received to date.

“Any further announcements regarding any test events and the return of supporters in the longer term will be announced once the club has received further clarity from the EFL.”

The EFL, meanwhile, released a statement this morning confirming they remain in discussions with the government about the pilot programme.

“The League is clear in its view that social distancing can be applied safely in football stadia and that having crowds at matches is an absolutely essential part of helping to project club finances, which remain under extreme pressure,” the EFL said.

“Therefore, the successful delivery of further pilots will be an important step towards getting larger number of fans into grounds safely.”