Bowyer expecting Vassell to kick on after making his return

Kyle Vassell made his return from injury at AFC Wimbledon last weekend

The striker was named in attack alongside new signing Dan Agyei in the Seasiders’ starting line-up for the 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

While it was an afternoon to forget for Blackpool, as they moved ever closer to the League One relegation zone, it was a boost to see their top scorer back in action.

It was Vassell’s first appearance since returning from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for over a month.

His last appearance came in the 2-1 defeat to Rotherham United in December.

Since then, he has missed Blackpool’s last eight fixtures in all competitions.

Vassell looked a little rusty before being substituted by Nathan Delfouneso just after the hour mark.

However, Bowyer says that was to be expected given the time he’s spent on the sidelines.

He said: “Kyle is going to be better for playing as long as he did. It’s no surprise he was rusty at times so that’s to be expected.

“He’s been better every day in training and now we expect him to kick on next week because of this game.

“At half-time I just felt we needed a bit more of a threat going forward so I put Callum (Cooke) on for Sessi (D’Almeida).

“Then we made sensible substitutions in the sense Kyle had to come off because of the time he’s been out and it was Dan’s first game and I don’t think he’s played since January. He’s going to be alright for us once he gets to know the lads.

“He’s only had one proper training session with us.

“He’ll get goals and will certainly get more opportunities than he did here.”

Second half goals from Liam Trotter and Joe Pigott were enough to see off Bowyer’s men, who have now failed to score in any of their last four outings in league and cup.

The defeat saw Blackpool slip down to 17th, three points ahead of MK Dons in 21st.

“The first goal was important,” Bowyer added.

“We had a clear-cut penalty turned down in the first half with Ollie Turton. How he doesn’t give it is beyond belief. But I don’t think we got anything from the officials all game.”

Blackpool defender Peter Hartley, who only joined the Seasiders during the summer, has made his loan move at Motherwell a permanent one having been on loan there since the start of the season.