'He's definitely been a miss': Neil Critchley suggests Blackpool might have to do without ex-Liverpool man Matty Virtue for the foreseeable future

Neil Critchley says the sidelined Matty Virtue has been a big miss for his Blackpool side so far this season.

The 23-year-old was missing through injury once again at the weekend as Blackpool drew 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra.

Since coming off the bench in Pool’s season opener in the Carabao Cup against Stoke City, the midfielder has been missing for the following eight games.

Critchley is still unable to put a timeframe on Virtue’s return, despite suggesting the former Liverpool man could be out for the foreseeable future.

“It’s obviously going on a bit longer than we would have hoped and what Matty would have hoped,” Pool’s head coach said.

“We’re hoping to get a bit of good news in the next few days regarding a scan and seeing the specialist.

“Then he can step up what he’s been doing, but until we get that news it’s hard to predict where he’s going to be in the next few weeks.

“Even when he is passed fit, or he can step up his rehab, he’ll need a little period of time to get back on the grass and train amongst the group to get back up to speed.

“He’s got a lot of games under his belt given he’s only 23. He’s played in this division, he’s played for the club and he knows what it’s like to play Saturday-Tuesday, so he’s definitely been a miss.

“Fingers crossed we get some good news and the sooner he comes back and is available for us the better for him and for us.”