Potential return date set for Blackpool striker ahead of Ipswich Town and Barnsley tests
Niall Ennis is back in full training with his Blackpool teammates.
Blackpool striker Niall Ennis is set to be back in contention for match action in the Seasiders’ League One meeting with Barnsley later this month.
The 26-year-old, who made the permanent move to Bloomfield Road from Stoke City in the summer, has been out of action since September due to an achilles problem.
During a loan spell on the Fylde Coast in the second half of last season, the ex-Blackburn Rovers and Plymouth forward was on hand with seven goals, while this term he has found the back of the net three times in six outings - meaning his presence has certainly been missed.
While Ennis has taken some big steps in the last few weeks, Blackpool’s FA Cup meeting with Ipswich Town this weekend is set to come too soon for the forward.
Head coach Ian Evatt is pleased to see the summer signing back among his teammates, but admits the cautious approach he’s previously outlined remains in place.
“Niall Ennis is back in full training - we’re not pressuring him too much as 14 weeks is a long time out, but it’s great to have him back and we have to make sure we keep him in one piece,” he said.
“He’ll be ready for the bench next week (against Barnsley), not this week. We’re trying to mitigate risk as much as we can, and Niall is a casing point - we can’t afford to get him injured on the back of going to the well too soon.
“We have to make sure we are monitoring his every move and every moment, whether that’s his training load or match days.
“We’ll have to get him fit during games, which isn’t ideal or great, but we’ll do the best to get him up to speed the best we can as quick as we can.”
Ihiekwe update
Michael Ihiekwe is also set to return to action in the coming weeks after missing the last month.
The defender, who joined the Seasiders from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, has suffered with a toe problem throughout the campaign so far.
While he was initially able to play through the pain, the issue has become too much without some form of intervention.
The 33-year-old will have a steroid injection this week, which should offer a short-term solution for the remainder of the season.
“It’ll need a period of settling down,” Evatt stated.
“It’s all about how he feels. Hopefully in the next few days it’ll settle quickly, and next week he’ll return to training.”
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