Matty Virtue will give Blackpool something we've missed says boss Neil Critchley

Neil Critchley admits Matty Virtue will offer Blackpool something they’ve been lacking this season when he makes his long-awaited return from injury.
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The midfielder is now on the final stretch of his recovery, having returned to training in the past week.

Blackpool have had to do without the 23-year-old virtually all season after he injured his hamstring tendon following the opening game – the Carabao Cup tie against Stoke City in August.

Matty Virtue has not played since Blackpool's opening game of the season against Stoke City in the Carabao CupMatty Virtue has not played since Blackpool's opening game of the season against Stoke City in the Carabao Cup
Matty Virtue has not played since Blackpool's opening game of the season against Stoke City in the Carabao Cup
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“It will be great to have Matty back,” Critchley said. “He’s had a frustrating time.

“He’s not used to being injured. He would have been – and will be – a really valuable asset to the team and the squad.

“We’re looking forward to having him back because he brings certain qualities to our team from midfield that maybe sometimes we’ve missed.”

Given Blackpool’s hectic schedule of Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday games until January, it is difficult to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly to give Virtue a much-needed runout.

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Blackpool’s EFL Trophy knockout tie at Fleetwood Town on Tuesday could offer the midfielder an opportunity to get some minutes under his belt.

Critchley added: “It’s difficult to arrange bounce matches because we’re playing every midweek and you need six outfield subs, maybe seven if you’re playing away in case of an injury or illness.

“Then if you’re running another game, it’s a different schedule and you’re running into the following game on the Saturday.

“If you pick up an injury during that game, it can become complicated.

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“We have to make sure the injured players get the right physical training and we have to try to use the players when we think is appropriate.

“We’ve done that recently in some of the games when we’ve made changes. We try to plan ahead, which can be difficult, but it’s really important.”

When asked if the congested campaign is making player fitness difficult to assess, Critchley added: “We have a belief in what we do and how we train, and we’ve got very good staff. We’re trusting of what we do.

“We had a few injuries a few weeks ago, but if Matty Virtue and MJ Williams come back we won’t have anyone out injured.

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“If you look across the country at the moment, a lot of clubs are suffering with injuries and in great numbers as well.

“Sometimes that can be a concern the other way – are we going too light in training? Are we training enough? Why haven’t we got any injuries?

“Getting that balance is really important. Taking them to their threshold where they’re uncomfortable in training, pushing the boundaries of what they’re capable of, is important.

“If you’ve seen any of our games recently, we look fit, we look strong and we can play right until the 94th minute or, in the case of Peterborough, the 98th and 99th minute.”

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