Blackpool striker Jordan Rhodes could be set for a spell on the sidelines following an injury sustained in Saturday’s match with Charlton Athletic.
The Tangerines would end up drawing 1-1 in a game which, going into it, they’d have expected to win. It was however an improved performance by Charlton, who having sacked manager Michael Appleton in the week, will now be looking to ascend the League One table.
One real worry for Blackpool is the injury sustained by talisman Jordan Rhodes. The striker was forced off at half-time having been involved in a collision which would lead to him being down on the turf for a few minutes.
It is an obvious worry for the Blackpool coaching staff as well as fans alike given Rhodes’ importance to the club this season. Having joined on loan from Championship side Huddersfield Town in the summer, Rhodes has not looked back since and his time at Bloomfield Road has been frankly incredible.
With 15 goals and three assists in 25 appearances this season, Rhodes is the fourth-top scorer in the league and those goals have helped Blackpool gradually climb the table. As a result, the Tangerines now sit in eighth, just three points off of the play-off positions.
It would be a significant blow if Rhodes was to face a spell on the sidelines, however no injury designation has been set as of yet.
Blackpool are not back in action until next Saturday when they travel to Stevenage, so the striker may have enough recovery time.
Speaking to The Gazette, manager Neil Critchley acknowledged that Rhodes had picked up a bit of a knock.
“He was uncomfortable at half time holding his ribs.
“He took a whack in the first half. If you look at it, it’s a clear penalty. He gets rugby tackled to the ground from a cross as he’s about to head the ball. The player doesn’t look at the ball and just drags him down. He was in a little bit of pain so we felt it was the right thing not to put him at any more risk.
“He wanted stay on but I didn’t want him to go out there and make it worse, so I tried to protect him. When you’ve got some a able deputy like Shayne Lavery it makes that decision a little bit easier.”
Writer’s View
It may sound precautionary that Rhodes was taken off on Saturday however it doesn’t exactly sound like a positive report from Critchley.
Rhodes has been pivotal to any sort of success that Blackpool have had this season and his loss would be a huge one. With a massive six-pointer with fellow promotion-chasers Stevenage next week, Critchley will be hoping that he indeed does have his talisman back for that fixture.
More updates will follow in the week, but it could be touch and go as to whether Rhodes travels with the squad or not.
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