Blackpool and Bristol Rovers both hope to put their FA Cup disappointment behind them as they meet at the Memorial Stadium in a Sky Bet League One clash.
The Seasiders lost 3-2 to Nottingham Forest in extra time, despite coming back from two goals down, with Albie Morgan and Kyle Joseph netting against the Premier League side. Rovers meanwhile took the lead against Championship outfit Norwich City through Luke McCormick, but they could not hold on and now both sides will have to focus on their league campaign next week rather than a cup match.
Blackpool played 30 minutes more than Rovers after their tie went to extra time, and it will be interesting to see whether that will be a help or a hindrance. Thirty minutes more means that players will have played more minutes than they're meant to, but for those on the fringes of the squad it might have been beneficial. Top scorer Jordan Rhodes was taken of whilst Blackpool were losing and Joseph took that chance by scoring, and so there's plenty of competition for a starting place on Saturday.
Both managers have some injuries to attend to with some definitely ruled out whilst others will be touch-and-go. Ex-Seasiders midfielder Grant Ward has already been ruled out of playing against his former club because of a hamstring injury. Sam Finley who played for Blackpool's Fylde Coast rivals Fleetwood Town is a doubt as he contends with a hip problem. Blackpool goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw meanwhile was forced off on Wednesday and replaced by Richard O'Donnell. Here we take a look at the latest injury and team news ahead of the match at the Mem.
1. Daniel Grimshaw - doubt
Ever present for Blackpool in League One this season but was forced off against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night. Former Bristol City goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell replaced him.
2. Daniel Grimshaw - doubt (continued)
Neil Critchley said on January 17: "We’ll have to assess him, he went into a collision for Forest’s second goal,” he explained. "It was a contact injury to his arm, and any injury to a goalkeeper’s arm is a problem- he just lost power in it a little bit and just had tingling sensations, so we had to bring him off. Hopefully it’s not too serious.
3. Kenny Dougall - doubt
Been used on a sporadic basis over the last month. Dougall has been made available for transfer and might not feature at the weekend.
4. Kenny Dougall - doubt (continued)
"He’s got the possibility of moving overseas- that’s something that’s been rumbling on in the background and we’re hoping that will be resolved very soon," said Neil Critchley on January 17 "It is what it is, we’ve known the situation, and we’re hopeful it’ll take care of itself in the next few days. "It’s been going on for a little while, and it’s a chance for Kenny to go overseas, but there’s complications with that, but hopefully that’ll be cleared up as soon as possible. "He’s been here for a long time. We’re in January so that helps, but we’re always looking to improve the squad and you always need a succession plan for players coming to the end of their contract. "We communicate all the time about transfers, and that work will continue.”
5. Jake Beesley - out
Suffered an injury against Port Vale around the Christmas period, and will be out for a few more weeks.
6. Jake Beesley - out (continued)
"He’ll be out for a few weeks,” Blackpool boss Neil Critchley said on January 9. "He’s got severe bone bruising, so he’ll have to be off his feet for a while."