Is Jordan Thorniley now in favour at Blackpool following his recent displays? Neil Critchley has his say

Blackpool’s head coach recently revealed that Thorniley and fellow defender Teddy Howe are free to leave Bloomfield Road if another club comes in for them.

However, Thorniley - who has been frozen out for the majority of the season - suddenly found himself thrust into Blackpool’s starting line-up for their recent FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion due to Critchley’s squad being depleted by a combination of Covid-19 and injuries.

The centre-back performed well against the Premier League outfit before backing that up with another strong display in Pool’s 5-0 hammering of Wigan Athletic.

When asked if those performances have changed Critchley’s mind on Thorniley, the Blackpool boss said: “It’s something we’ve stressed right from the beginning of the season and it’s a message I’ve repeated.

“In this season, it’s a season like no other, so everyone will play a part at some point and I think Jordan epitomises that with the situation he’s been in.

“He’s remained really professional, always trains properly and those two performance sum up what he’s about as a character and as a person.

“I’m delighted with how he’s played and while he is still here, we are respectful of him and his situation.

“If he trains the way he is doing and behaves like a professional and if he is called upon, then he’s already shown what he’s capable of.

“Only the people from other clubs can answer if his situation has changed. He remains part of the squad, he’s played the last two games and we have another game tomorrow night.

“We will see what happens today, but at this moment in time we carry on as normal.”

Thorniley, who signed for Blackpool this time last year, has made just seven appearances this season

The 24-year-old was brought in from Sheffield Wednesday by former Pool boss Simon Grayson, yet made just two appearances before Covid-19 hit.

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