Neil Critchley hopeful of strong and healthy Blackpool squad for return to action at Peterborough

The Seasiders have had to do without a host of players in recent weeks due to injuries and suspensions.

Ben Woodburn has also been unavailable for the last two weeks as he self-isolated after testing positive for Covid-19.

At one point Pool were missing eight first-team players but they still navigated their busy schedule in impressive fashion, winning four games on the spin in all competitions and five of their last six.

After the luxury of a blank weekend, Critchley is confident of having more players available for the visit to high-flying Posh.

Pool’s head coach said: “Dan Ballard is away on international duty with Northern Ireland. I want him to play and to get those experiences because he will be the better for it (the defender started the last two games and impressed).

“But he will come back into contention. Ben Woodburn will come back into contention.

“You’ve seen Keshi Anderson come back in the EFL Trophy and Luke Garbutt is starting to train.

“The squad will be looking a lot healthier and a lot stronger by the time we get to the Peterborough game.”

One man Blackpool won’t be able to call upon this weekend is Matty Virtue, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

While he’s still some way away from returning, the midfielder is making good progress.

“He’s been out on the pitch for a week or so now doing some running,” Critchley revealed.

“We’re building up his level of work and his load, increasing what he can do.

“He’s going for another scan, so hopefully we’ll keep getting good news and can step up the level of work he’s doing. He’s getting closer.”

Blackpool are still without MJ Williams, who injured and elbow at Burton Albion.

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