Why Blackpool could hand debut to former Liverpool, Tottenham and Hull City man sooner than anticipated

Neil Critchley has suggested new signing Kevin Stewart could be involved for Blackpool sooner than anticipated because of current circumstances.
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Neil Critchley has suggested new signing Kevin Stewart could be involved for Blackpool sooner than anticipated because of current circumstances.

The midfielder, who hasn’t played a competitive game since the summer, could go straight into Blackpool’s squad for tonight’s game against Wigan Athletic.

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That’s because the Seasiders are without nine first-team players due to a combination of Covid-19 and injuries, which left Critchley with no option but to include three youth-teamers in his squad for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton.

When asked how soon Stewart could be involved, Critchley said: “Because of current circumstances it might be sooner rather than later.

“One thing I will say about Kevin is that he’s an extremely fit man, he’s ultra professional, he looks after his body, he dedicates his life to his profession and that’s a reason why I wanted to bring him here.

“He’s been at Brentford before Christmas and he’s played a few games for Brentford’s B team, so he’s not without football altogether.

Blackpool boss Neil CritchleyBlackpool boss Neil Critchley
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley
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“He has been training as well, so he might appear or figure quite quickly.

“I know I can trust him, I know he’s got the right type of character and experience to handle playing when maybe he’s not quite 100 per cent in terms of his match fitness.

“But there’s only one way to get match fit and that’s to play games and we’ve got plenty of them coming up, so I’m sure he’ll figure reasonably quickly.”

Other than Stewart, there will be no change to Blackpool’s squad from the weekend as Critchley’s side look to claim a first league win of 2021.

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“We’re slightly stretched but there’s no change from Saturday,” he added.

“The players that have tested positive for coronavirus are out, they’re now self-isolating and will return at different stages.

“The injured players are still injured as well, so from Saturday there’s very little change to the squad in truth.

“I genuinely look at the squad and have genuine belief in the players that were standing in front of me at training. That was the message to the players.

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“I believe the team that takes to the pitch against Wigan will be a team that’s capable of winning.

“Yes we’re limited on numbers at the moment, we’re stretched, but it just gives others that opportunity to play.”

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