Little: Former Blackpool boss McDonald was keen to sign me

Injury-hit ex-Blackpool loan player Andy Little says former boss Neil McDonald was keen to sign him on a permanent deal.
Andy Little in action for BlackpoolAndy Little in action for Blackpool
Andy Little in action for Blackpool

The striker joined Pool on-loan from rivals Preston North End in November after failing to force his way into PNE’s first team.

But his spell on the Fylde coast was hampered by injuries and he soon returned to Deepdale.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He picked up an injury in his first Blackpool game in the 1-0 defeat at Southend but was back in the side in December.

He made a further four appearances for the Seasiders and scored in the 4-2 defeat at Barnsley before another injury forced him to return to his parent club.

The 27-year-old did not return to ‘Pool after his recovery and ended the season on loan at League Two club Accrington Stanley.

Little was released by PNE but with McDonald no longer at the helm it looks like he will not be returning to Bloomfield Road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “I’m not finished (as a player) I’ve just had a bad season.

“Blackpool came around in November and I had an up and down time there.

“I got injured in the very first game, which looked as though it had ruined the loan spell. I got back into the team around Christmas and the manager was quite keen to sign me on a permanent deal.

“I really enjoyed it there but the unfortunate thing was I picked up another injury. The manager then said he would like to sign me but can’t really because I had picked up a couple of injuries. I went back to Preston and got fit again, and then went to Accrington for the last seven games of the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I joined another team that were doing very well. Of the games I was there they won five and drew two and the manager (John Coleman) didn’t want to change a winning team, so it has been a frustrating year. I’ve been fit for the majority of the year but I just haven’t got the game time when I needed it.”

Little is spending the summer in his native Fermanagh but he remains focused on pursuing a professional career, ruling out a return to the Irish Premier League despite several offers.

He said: “To be honest I would go almost anywhere. Two years ago I had a couple of options in America and New Zealand so I’m really open to going wherever.”