Michael Appleton provides Gary Madine injury update after Swansea City defeat

Swansea get the game underway to a cauldron of noise.

Up the mighty Pool!

Made of Stone by the Stone Roses the new track of choice as the players made their way out, by the way...

Gary Madine misses out for the second game running as Blackpool prepare to take on Swansea City at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.

Michael Appleton makes two changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Stoke City in their last league encounter.

Kenny Dougall and Theo Corbeanu come in for Matty Virtue and Madine, who are both left out of the squad altogether.

Madine missed Tuesday night’s cup defeat to Barrow with a knock after taking a bang to his shin against Stoke.

It means Dougall is handed a first league start of the season alongside Lewis Fiorini and Sonny Carey in midfield, while Charlie Patino is only named among the substitutes.

James Husband and Jordan Gabriel are also included on the bench after making their return from injury in midweek.

Beryly Lubala, meanwhile, is completely left out of the side as is Doug Tharme, who is now back in training.

Luke Garbutt, Kevin Stewart, Keshi Anderson and Jake Beesley all remain sidelined.

Blackpool: 29/20

Swansea: 19/10

Draw: 9/4

Odds courtesy of https://www.betfair.com/sport/football

Will Michael Appleton throw Jordan Gabriel and James Husband straight into the starting line-up after their return against Barrow?

Or will the Seasiders stick with Callum Connolly and Dom Thompson in the full-back positions?

Elsewhere, Jordan Thorniley put himself in the frame to start after an impressive outing in the cup, but Rhys Williams will be keen to partner Marvin Ekpiteta once again.

Blackpool now have options in central midfield in Kenny Dougall, Matty Virtue, Charlie Patino, Lewis Fiorini and Sonny Carey - and Connolly too if he’s not needed at right-back.

Further up the field, Theo Corbeanu will be looking to make his first start in the league while Appleton has options for the number nine role.

Here’s how we think the Seasiders might line up.

“Winning our first game will relax everyone,” head coach Russell Martin said.

“Looking at a couple of clubs, some that have come down haven’t won yet so we’re not the only ones. We’re only two games in.

“If we’re sitting in the same position 10 or 15 games in then I’d be a little bit concerned.

“A lot of fans are travelling, around 1,400 or so, so it’s up to us to make sure their weekend is a good one - although I’m sure they’ll enjoy their Friday night anyway.

“Last season they brought a brilliant atmosphere and we didn’t repay that with enough shots on target, because we didn’t take enough risks with the ball.

“It’s about controlling the game, but being aggressive, defending with the ball as much as we can and giving the fans something to enjoy and sing about.

“Whenever this group has been challenged in the past in terms of results or criticism, they’ve always responded really well.”