Mick McCarthy opens up on apologies he dished out to Blackpool duo against Huddersfield Town

The veteran boss had to reassure Andy Lyons after leaving the full-back out of Blackpool’s starting line-up in favour of the more experienced Callum Connolly.

The 22-year-old issued the perfect response, scoring Blackpool’s first equaliser having replaced the injured Charlie Goode off the bench during the first-half.

It wasn’t the only impact the Irishman had though, as the defender linked up superbly with Josh Bowler as the Seasiders fought back with 10 men to salvage a last-gasp point.

“He was excellent,” McCarthy concurred.

“He’s another one I had to apologise to because he’s done nothing wrong, but I just wanted the most experienced back four I could have playing in a game that was vital really.

“There was nothing wrong with him, he’s not played badly and I told him that. But neither has Callum Connolly because he’s been different class.”

McCarthy also felt bad for hauling off Sonny Carey at half-time as the 64-year-old reshuffled his side following Gary Madine’s straight red card.

The midfielder had been one of Blackpool’s rare bright sparks in the first-half but he was sacrificed as the Seasiders tweaked their system.

“I just had to think about how I rearranged the team and I thought it was the right thing to take Sonny Carey off, who had actually done alright,” McCarthy added.

“I had to apologise to him at half-time, but sometimes it’s that way. When someone gets sent off you end up having to take somebody else off. It’s just the way it is.”