Blackpool hope to get their season back on track as they travel to London Road to face play-off rivals Peterborough United in the EFL League One.
The Seasiders suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday and that was a big blow to their play-off hopes. They are eight points off of sixth and the teams above them have games in hand, so they can only take points off of their rivals now and hope for a slip-up.
Peterborough were due to face Port Vale on Tuesday but their pitch was deemed unplayable after the rain affected their surface. It gave Darren Ferguson's side the opportunity to have some players rest after nursing knocks and niggles in previous matches. Ferguson himself is an absentee this weekend as he picked up two yellow cards which means that he will have to watch from the stands.
This is the first of two consecutive meetings between the two sides. Blackpool and Posh will do battle at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night in the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy with a Wembley Stadium final at stake. The home boss admitted that the league is the priority and he will want to get his side out of the rot they're in.
Peterborough have lost their last three league matches and have failed to win in their last four. Blackpool have a similar record, losing two and drawing two. A win for Blackpool would see them overtake Leyton Orient should the O's drop points and it would narrow the gap on to Peterborough to six points.
Will Peterborough benefit from having a week's rest with no game in between? Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of kick-off.
1. Callum Connolly - doubt
Missed the last two games and before that he had been an unused substitute three times. Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth
2. Callum Connolly - doubt (continued)
Neil Critchley said on February 16: "Callum suffered a back spasms at the end of training last week- he’s improved with treatment in the last few days and has done some training, so he’s getting closer." Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth
3. Jake Beesley - doubt
Hasn't played since the end of December. Suffered an injury against Port Vale. He's been taking part in light training as he works towards a return. | CameraSport - Andrew Kearns Photo: CameraSport - Andrew Kearns
4. Jake Beesley - doubt (continued)
Neil Critchley said on February 16: “I’ll make a decision with the staff on Jake for this weekend. He would give us a different type of option at the top end of the pitch, and he was in good form before he got injured. He’s in good spirits, and having him available again would be an added bonus." Photo: CameraSport - Andrew Kearns
5. Jordan Rhodes - out
Hasn't played since the end of January after suffering a rib injury against Charlton. Blackpool have struggled up top in his absence. Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth
6. Jordan Rhodes - out (continued)
Neil Critchley said on February 16: "Jordan Rhodes has been doing a little bit of work on the grass running, but won’t be available this weekend. "It was good to see to him back but we’re just taking it day by day and seeing how his pain management is. We’ll try to get him involved as quickly as he feel comfortable with.” Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth