Two impress Blackpool boss on trial

At least five triallists featured during an in-house, behind-closed-doors game this week and two of them caught the eye.

One is believed to be former Bolton midfielder Jay Spearing, whose contract at the Macron expired in the summer.

The 28-year-old posted a picture of himself in a Blackpool training kit on Instagram yesterday, with the message: “Back enjoying footy”.

While the Seasiders are looking to go eight League One games unbeaten at Bristol Rovers tomorrow, Bowyer is keen to reinforce his squad and can sign only free agents before the January transfer window.

And although Pool’s squad is not the biggest, players are vying for starting spots.

Bowyer said: “What we have at the moment is some real competition and a couple of triallists have raised the standards in training.

“It is good because the players realise they cannot rest on what they have done. That has been the message all week.

“We played an internal game and those who are out of the team at the moment got a proper 11 versus 11 game, so that when they are called upon – which they will be through suspension, injury and loss of form – they are ready to step in and try to keep the momentum going. One or two stood out, one or two did not.”

“There are still players knocking about at this moment in time, it is just whether you can find the right one and whether you can find the right deal.

“In my opinion two of them that are with us would improve the squad straight away, no doubt about that and you only needed one look at that.

“Others might need to get up to speed a little bit but you know eventually they will add something to the squad.

“From my point of view the ones that we have had a look at, I’m surprised they are with us to be honest.

“In my opinion they are better than the level that they are training at, at this moment in time.”

However, whether any of the triallists become permanent arrivals is something which has to be negotiated.

Bowyer said: “We assess them and make sure that they fit in with the group but then obviously it always comes down to pounds, shillings and pence and we are certainly looking at that avenue as we speak.

“The ones that we have in mind are certainly not far off from being able to come in and go straight into the team.”