Michael Appleton explains James Husband's absence following Blackpool's defeat to Norwich City

And welcome to today’s live blog.

The Seasiders return to action this afternoon after their two-week international break, taking on high-flying promotion favourites Norwich City.

Michael Appleton’s side also return to Bloomfield Road after three away games on the spin, which ended with back-to-back defeats.

Follow our blog for build-up, team news, live match updates and post-match reaction.

The Seasiders will be desperate to get back to winning ways today upon their return from the two-week international break.

Michael Appleton’s side suffered back-to-back defeats before the break, losing away to both Rotherham United and Millwall.

It leaves Blackpool in 19th place in the table, one point above the dropzone.

It doesn’t get any easier for Appleton’s men though, as they now face high-flying promotion favourites Norwich City.

Dean Smith’s side, who were relegated from the Premier League last time out, sit second in the table with six wins from their first 10 games.

This game starts a hectic period for Blackpool, who face 11 games in the space of just a month-and-a-half before the break for the winter World Cup.

Today’s game will be refereed by top flight official David Coote, who has dished out 22 yellow cards in the six games he’s taken charge of this season and one red.

Blackpool have been dealt yet another major injury blow on the eve of this afternoon’s encounter.

It was hoped Keshi Anderson would be fit enough to return from his MCL injury for this game, but Michael Appleton has now revealed the winger has suffered a fresh setback in training.

The 27-year-old has a quad injury and will be sidelined for another few weeks.

Elsewhere, Rhys Williams is also unlikely to feature with a shin problem.

Kevin Stewart (fractured foot), Lewis Fiorini (hamstring) and Jake Beesley (fractured foot) all remain sidelined.

Gary Madine is also due to return having served his three-match suspension, although the striker is said to be carrying an issue with his calf and his back.

Callum Wright should also be available having recovered from a dislocated joint in his leg.

Charlie Patino, Theo Corbeanu and Shayne Lavery have all returned unscathed following their appearances on international duty.

“I’m delighted (to be back at Bloomfield Road) and I think the players will be.

“We’ve had a couple of narrow defeats at home in the first 10 games, but I thought we were ridiculously unfortunate against Swansea where I thought we played very well. We could’ve nicked something in the last few moments of the game against Blackburn, so we’ve been pretty competitive.

“Norwich’s front line clearly at this level is something to be jealous about at times and they’re going to keep us on our toes and have a lot more of the ball than we are.

“I think if they’re not first they’re second in the league in terms of keeping hold of the ball and dealing with it well, so we know what we’re going to be up against, but I think other sides that have come here already this season have realised and are aware of the threat that we have.”

“Sometimes our performances have been where we’ve wanted to be, but sometimes we have been unplayable,” Norwich boss Dean Smith said.

“Blackpool are not in the best of runs but some of their performances have been good. They are an aggressive team, they have some good players there. It is going to be a test.

“Shakey (assistant Craig Shakespeare) has worked with Michael at West Brom and I have come across him a few times, myself.

“We’ve got to see it as an opportunity to get as many points as we can as early as we can.”

While Callum Wright should be available to feature, the Seasiders are still without a host of players through injury – including Keshi Anderson who has picked up a fresh setback.

How will it all effect Blackpool’s line-up?

Here’s our prediction...

Blackpool win: 3/1

Draw: 5/2

Norwich City win: 9/10

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Odds according to Betfair.

Dan Grimshaw has been DROPPED from Blackpool’s starting XI for today’s clash against Norwich City.

The shot stopper has been relegated to the bench, meaning Chris Maxwell gets his first start of the campaign.

The axing will come as a major surprise to the tangerine faithful given Grimshaw’s importance to the side – having made the number one shirt his own since the midway point of last season.

Elsewhere, Callum Wright starts his first Blackpool game since making a deadline day move from Leicester City, lining up in a midfield three with Kenny Dougall and Charlie Patino.

It means Michael Appleton has decided to revert to a back four, with Jordan Thorniley partnering Marvin Ekpiteta in the absence of the injured Rhys Williams.

Grimshaw, James Husband, Callum Connolly and Shayne Lavery all drop out of the side from Blackpool’s last game, the 2-1 defeat to Millwall before the international break.

Maxwell, Jordan Gabriel, Wright and Ian Poveda are the four to enter the fold.

New signing Liam Bridcutt starts on the bench after signing on a free transfer on Friday.

Gary Madine, meanwhile, returns from his three-game suspension to be named among the subs.

Rhys Williams (shin), Kevin Stewart (calf and fractured foot), Lewis Fiorini (hamstring) Keshi Anderson (quad), and Jake Beesley (fractured foot) are all out through injury.

Blackpool, who are aiming to avoid a third defeat on the spin, face a Norwich side who sit second in the Championship table and are fancied to return to the top flight at the first attempt.