Injured duo nearing a return for Blackpool - but they won't be fit for midweek clash against Wigan Athletic

Garbutt has been missing for the Seasiders since limping off with a hamstring injury at Gresty Road in the 1-1 draw against Crewe on October 17.

Anderson, meanwhile, has missed Blackpool’s last five games, his last appearance coming in the 4-1 defeat to Ipswich Town on October 10.

While neither Garbutt or Anderson will be fit to feature in tomorrow’s night game against Wigan Athletic, head coach Neil Critchley is hoping to have them back soon.

“They’re both back on the training pitch, running, doing some ball work and stepping up their rehab,” he told The Gazette.

“They’re not too dissimilar in terms of time frame and we’re hopeful they could be included for maybe the end of this week or the early part of next week.”

Blackpool will also be without Ben Woodburn for tomorrow’s return to Bloomfield Road, with the Liverpool loanee continuing to self-isolate after returning a positive Covid-19 test.

“I spoke to him on Sunday and he’s okay, it’s only mild symptoms,” Critchley added.

“It’s unfortunate, but he’s isolating and we have to follow the EFL protocols and rightly so.

“He will be self-isolating for the rest of this week.”

Matty Virtue also remains sidelined, although a recent scan on the tendon in his hamstring returned “positive” results according to Critchley.

Dan Ballard and Ethan Robson also serve the second game of their three-match bans on Saturday after the club’s appeal over their red cards in the defeat at AFC Wimbledon was unsuccessful.

Wigan, meanwhile, were without seven first-team players for their 3-2 defeat to Northampton Town on Saturday.

Among them were former Seasiders Curtis Tilt and Viv Solomon-Otabor, although Tilt could return tomorrow night having only been rested at the weekend.

Solomon-Otabor, meanwhile, is facing an extended period on the sidelines with an ankle injury.