Blackpool play the waiting game over striker: Ten years on from promotion into the Premier League

We’re dipping into the archives each day to bring you STEVE CANAVAN’S Gazette reports from a decade ago on Blackpool’s remarkable journey to the promised land.

Ten years ago, the Seasiders waited for news on their pursuit of DJ Campbell...

Steve Thompson has admitted it is Leicester City who will decide whether Pool land their top transfer target.

The Seasiders have begun talks with the Foxes about bringing loan favourite DJ Campbell to Bloomfield Road on a permanent deal.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is happy to offload a player he didn’t sign and never appears to have been keen on, but any deal will depend on how much the Foxes want for the 28-year-old striker.

It has been reported Leicester are asking for a £1m fee, but despite the Seasiders raking in an immediate £40m for promotion to the Premier League, they won’t go that high.

Chairman Karl Oyston says he won’t be held to ransom and assistant manager Thompson accepts that Leicester will have the final say in the negotiations.

Thompson said: “Obviously in an ideal world we would like DJ with us, but it is up to Leicester and DJ what they want to do now.

“One thing is sure, his goals have been invaluable for us and he has been a big asset.

“We had him on loan last year as well and his goals have been massive for the team.

“He bought into the way we work and is fantastic with the lads.

“He has said he enjoys it here, and when a player enjoys it you get the best out of him.

“You can see from his body language and the way he scores his goals how much it means to him to be at Blackpool.”

Leicester paid Birmingham £1.6m for Campbell three years ago and he has 12 months left on his contract.

It hasn’t worked out for him at the Walkers Stadium, but Thompson knows from personal experience that players don’t succeed everywhere.

The Seasiders’ number two was himself a hero in Leicester colours but didn’t do as well when he left for Burnley.

Thompson added: “I think I left Leicester too early and it just never worked out for me at Burnley.

“I had about three operations and just couldn’t get going at the place.

“Sometimes you go through that as a manager and as a player. These things test you but they make you stronger.

“If you have belief in yourself it will change for you, but there are some places where it just doesn’t happen for you.

“Luckily for us, DJ seems to suit us and the way we play. The goals he has scored speak for that.”

Campbell struck 11 goals in 17 starts as Pool completed promotion to the top flight.

He scored nine goals in 19 games during the previous season’s loan spell under Tony Parkes and Thompson.

Ian Holloway is delighted at the role Campbell played in getting Pool promoted and wants to sign him as soon as possible.