Blackpool FC's Nolan has eyes on a promotion prize

Blackpools new signing Eddie Nolan believes they have a squad capable of pushing for promotion

Blackpool new boy Eddie Nolan says the Seasiders have a squad that is capable of pushing for promotion.

The 27-year-old was released by York City this summer and had been training with the Seasiders in pre-season before penning a one-year deal on Tuesday.

A product of the Blackburn Rovers academy, the 27-year-old achieved promotion from League Two with Scunthorpe United in 2014 and featured 137 times in four-and-a-half seasons with The Iron.

The utility man has featured at centre-back and left-back for Gary Bowyer’s men during his pre-season trial.

The versatile defender says ‘Pool are capable of bouncing back from last term’s relegation by gaining promotion from League Two at the first time of asking.

He said: “I have been Mr Versatile at most clubs I’ve been to which can sometimes be good and sometimes be a bad thing.

“But I don’t mind, I’m used to it. I’ve played everywhere in my career so far but mainly centre-half and left-back so far here.

“I don’t mind really, I’ve played everywhere, so it does not make much of a difference to me.

“The squad is looking good, there is competition all across the pitch. It is a tough league to get out of.

“I was promoted a couple of years ago with Scunthorpe. It will be hard but I think the squad that has been built here it is more than capable of doing it.

“As a club the aim is to get back into League One and personally it is just to play well and do as much as I can for the team.”

Bowyer spent 11 years at Blackburn Rovers as Under-18 coach, reserve team boss, caretaker manager and manager until he was sacked in November 2015.

The Blackpool boss knows Nolan from his time at Ewood Park and believes he will be a valuable addition to the squad with the new League Two campaign due to kick-off against Exeter on Saturday at Bloomfield Road.

He said: “I know Eddie from my days at Blackburn and he’ll be a valuable addition to the squad.

“He offers great versatility at the back and has performed very well in the games he’s played so far.”

And Nolan says he has settled in well during his trial and is eager to get started.

He said: “I’m delighted to finally get the deal done.

“I’ve been here since the start of pre-season so I’ve settled in well.

“Training has been good and the manager is putting together a good squad.

“I’ve played against some of the lads before, there’s some good players and some good signings been made this summer.

“I just want to play well and do as much as I can to help the team.”