Cullen should return for Saddlers showdown

The striker has missed Pool’s last three games with a hamstring injury, but is available after coming through training this week.

He’ll add to Neil McDonald’s attacking options with new boy Uche Ikpeazu to be joined by Jack Redshaw and Danny Philliskirk.

“Mark Cullen has been training so we are hoping he’ll be back involved today,” said McDonald.

“Martin Paterson is still struggling with his calf, so he’s a doubt. As for the rest we should be OK. Jack’s shin splints haven’t gone away but we are managing those better now.

“I thought he was excellent on Saturday against Scunthorpe.

“He’s had another good week training so he should be OK to be involved again.”

Blackpool face one of League One’s form side’s this afternoon in Sean O’Driscoll’s Walsall.

O’Driscoll has enjoyed a fine first month at the Banks’s Stadium, with five wins from his seven games in charge.

And McDonald is only too aware of the task facing his players. “It will be a tough game,” he said.

“Walsall have been excellent all season but we go there on the back of a good run ourselves and we know we can get a result.

“We have to build on last weekend’s win and hopefully we can go and pick up some points today.

“It’s the start of three very tough games (Walsall, Sheffield United and Gillingham) but we’ll be going out to win as many as possible.”

Pool will again be without centre back Clark Robertson who is injured - he’ll be again replaced by Will Aimson alongside Tom Aldred.

It’s a replacement McDonald is more than happy with.

He said: “Aimson has done well in midfield and defence.

“The injury to Clark Robertson has been a big blow to us, but it would have been bigger if we didn’t have Will.

“He was sat just in front of the back four until then and recently he’s slotted into the back four. He’s had two excellent games for me.”