Date set for Blackpool central defender to have his ankle injury assessed
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt has provided an update on the position regarding some of the club’s injured players.
Blackpool defender Fraser Horsfall will see a specialist in a fortnight’s time to determine the next course of action following his injury setback.
The centre-half played his first game since April when featuring as a substitute in the Seasiders’ Jersey Mike’s Trophy win against Aston Villa’s U21s last Tuesday.
It was the 29-year-old’s first appearance since April, having undergone ankle surgery before returning on the back of two training sessions.
However, Blackpool head coach Ian Evatt revealed last week that Horsfall’s ankle issue had flared up again and that club and player were back to square one.
Speaking before training on Thursday, Evatt said: “I’ve got to say, I was a bit emotional when I said that because I’d just found out he wasn’t going to train.
“He’s seeing a specialist on November 19, which will then have a course of action.
“We aren’t going to make any rash statements until we’ve had some confirmation from the experts about where we stand and how we move forwards.
“I’ve got to say when I played - and I think it’s the same for most professional footballers - very rarely are you 100 per cent fit.
“Fraser really cares, I know how important it is to get him back which means he’s been trying to get through the pain barrier.
“I’m not the expert, I just know he wants to be available and I want him to be available.”
As far as some of the other absentees go, CJ Hamilton and Niall Ennis are in line for a return to training after this weekend’s FA Cup trip to Hornchurch.
Horsfall’s fellow central defender, Josh Earl, is making progress after missing the last seven games with a foot injury.
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“He’s out of the (protective) boot,” Evatt said of the summer arrival from Barnsley.
“That boot has been passed around since I’ve been here but, at the moment, there’s nobody in a boot which I’m pleased to report!
“CJ and Niall will return next week, it’s probably a bit early this week.
“We’re happy with how that’s progressing, other than that it’s the same squad from Sheffield Wednesday.”