Pool's sights on Walsall full-back

The 30-year-old held talks with new Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer last weekend.

Taylor has an offer on the table to spend a fifth season with the Saddlers but he may reject that deal in favour of a move to Bloomfield Road, where the promise of regular first-team football would be a real draw for the defender.

Bowyer is desperate to add experience to his back four and needs a left-back after the departures of David Ferguson and Charles Dunne.

Taylor has made over 250 League appearances, mostly with Tranmere, Sheffield United and Walsall. Born in Blackburn, he came through the Ewood Park youth ranks and played three times for Blackpool during a loan spell a decade ago.

The Gazette understands Taylor has been offered a two-year deal at Bloomfield Road and could sign this week.

He would become Bowyer’s fourth signing as the new Pool boss bids to complete as much business as possible before his squad return for training next week.

Pool have 18 professionals on their books, though it’s expected a couple of these could yet depart ahead of the League Two campaign.

The players report back next Wednesday before heading to Scotland for a pre-season training camp. Bowyer said: “The camp will be good. We want to arrange a couple of games while we are up there, which will be perfect.

“There are two friendlies already arranged at home (Blackburn and Bury) and we hope to get more sorted.”

Bowyer’s first two competitive games in charge will be at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders open the season by hosting Exeter City on August 6, with Bolton Wanderers visiting in the League Cup three days later.

Seventy of the Football League’s 72 teams were in the first-round draw for the rebranded EFL Cup – Norwich and Newcastle were exempt after finishing highest in the pyramid last season.

Premier League sides will enter in the second round except those in the Champions League, who join in for the third round.

The regionalised draw was made on Facebook and Blackpool v Bolton was the last tie to be drawn in the north section.

Pool narrowly avoided a derby with Preston, whose tie with Hartlepool was the second-last drawn.

Bowyer says it’s time to concentrate on the new season after yesterday’s announcments.

“Now that the fixtures are out, I’m counting down the weeks to the season getting under way,” he said.

“The players report back for pre-season training this time next week.

“It will be great to get on the training ground and start working with them.”