Michael Ihiekwe has been absent through injury in the last few weeks - but the Blackpool defender could be about to turn a corner.

Blackpool defender Michael Ihiekwe is set to receive an injection this week that could help him return to action.

The 33-year-old has been battling with a toe injury for a number of months, but was able to play through the pain up until the last few weeks.

Following a tough first half in last month’s 2-2 draw with Lincoln City last month, the centre back was withdrawn and hasn’t returned to action since.

The experienced figure has won several promotions from League One throughout his career, with both Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday, but hasn’t been able to find his form in Tangerine - with the long-term injury being a mitigating factor behind that.

With several defenders unavailable for Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Bradford City, Blackpool head coach Ian Evatt was still unable to select Ihiekwe with caution being taken ahead of a big step in his recovery.

“We’ve had to settle the toe right down and he’s going to have a steroid injection on Thursday,” the Seasiders boss explained.

“We’re hopeful that it will have the desired effect. He can’t play before the injection because the toe will be inflamed and it’ll have less chance of working.

“What we’ve had to do is bite the bullet and just settle the toe down - which we have done. Now, we’re hopeful the injection will enable him to get through until at least the end of the season, when we can review it and make a more long-term decision.”

Horsfall injury

Fraser Horsfall became Blackpool’s latest absentee through injury, with the summer arrival from Stockport County suffering a hamstring tear on New Year’s Day against Port Vale.

The problem is set to rule out the 29-year-old for a minimum of eight weeks.

“It’s not just the game on Thursday (against Port Vale) that hurts you, it’s the tiredness in the legs,” Evatt stated.

“Fraser getting injured and Hubby’s (James Husband) suspension not being rescinded, it’s really frustrating, and everyone feels the same as me.

“There’s a huge sense of anger, but we need to deal with the cards we’ve been dealt with. We had one fit centre back today (against Bradford). There were no changes we could make off the bench, other than to bring on some fresh legs.

“I don’t think the squad is where we need it to be, we need players and need to recruit. We need help and support. We know what we need, and we’ve got the funds, but we need to make sure we recruit people who can help us, but we need to do it quickly.”

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