Blackpool's strikers need time to gel

Gary Bowyer believes Dan Agyei and Kyle Vassell can form an effective forward partnership

Kyle Vassell and Dan Agyei played together for the first time last week in Blackpool’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

Both struggled to make an impact although Bowyer believes that was to be expected given they had only trained together once.

Vassell, still the Seasiders’ top scorer with eight goals this season, had missed the club’s last eight games in all competitions after picking up the knock in the 2-1 defeat to Rotherham United in December.

Agyei was making his first appearance for the Seasiders having clinched a loan move from Burnley just two days before Pool’s trip to the Kingsmeadow.

“There was a lot of excitement going into the game on Saturday with the two of them up front,” Bowyer said.

“That said, to expect them to gel after one training session was asking a bit but we needed to get minutes and that’s the biggest positive.

“Especially for Kyle, because he had a good run of minutes in the game and has come through it unscathed.

“He’s trained well this week so there will be an improvement in him from that alone.

“We’ve seen it in training and other people linking up with them and hopefully it pays dividends on Saturday.”

While Vassell’s return was a boost for Blackpool, it wasn’t enough to stop Bowyer’s side from suffering another damaging defeat.

The Seasiders, who are now three points about the League One drop zone, have won just one of their last 12 games.

“Bar last Saturday, I’ve been happy with the performances especially since the turn of the year,” Bowyer said.

“It’s mastering the basics and that’s what we’ve spoken about this week.

“To be fair to the players they’ve trained very well and the intensity has gone up another notch.

“Now I’m looking for that positive reaction on Saturday.”

Blackpool have no fresh injuries ahead of today’s game against Charlton Athletic, although Jim McAlister has suffered a setback on his return from a broken leg.

The midfielder has bone bruising on the same area where he fractured his tibia last year.

Mark Cullen still has no return date but is expected to step up his recovery next week.