Blackpool boss Neil Critchley announced that one of his players will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The Tangerines welcome League One leaders Portsmouth to Bloomfield Road this weekend, but are without a number of players due to injury.
The most severe of which is full-back Andy Lyons, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season through an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.
The Irish player was subbed on at half-time during Blackpool’s loss to Leyton Orient, but only lasted 14 minutes before being stretchered off at Brisbane Road.
Speaking to the press ahead of the Pompey clash, Neil Critchley confirmed that Lyons will be out for a considerable amount of time. [Quotes via Blackpool Gazette]:
“Unfortunately he’s suffered an ACL injury, which is a long-term one, so that’ll keep him out for a lengthy period of time.
“It’s different from how it used to be. If you suffered it 20 or 30 years ago, it was career threatening, but now the technology and the knowledge has advanced massively.
“It’s about him being strong in that area of his body, doing strengthening work and getting mobility before you do surgery- which won’t be for a couple of weeks, but that’ll speed up the process.
“I don’t want to speculate on exactly how long he’ll be out- everyone is different, but it’ll lengthy. He’s at the early stages so we’re not thinking about that yet.”
Another injury concern for Blackpool from that Orient match was Albie Morgan, who also suffered a knee injury following being subbed on.
The 24-year old has played 32 matches for The Seasiders in the third division this season, with three goals and assists.
Critchley provided an update on his progress, adding: “He’s tweaked the ligaments in his knee, so he’ll be a few weeks, he’s had an injection and he’ll need time for that to settle down before we get him out on the grass,” added Critchley.
“It’s disappointing because he’s been terrific for us. It was a contact injury, unlike Andy’s which is one you can’t legislate for. It was a blocked tackle, so it’ll just keep him out, which is unfortunate for him and us. We’ll see where he’s at for the games after the international break.”
The Lancashire club are in eighth position in the league, and are four points off sixth-placed Stevenage. Blackpool only have 10 games remaining of their season.
Writer’s View
Losing players as you push for play-offs through injury is never ideal. But losing a player to a long-term injury like Lyons will be a much longer headache for Neil Critchley. An ACL injury for the wing-back will probably see him not make the start of next season as well, which is far from ideal.
The Irishman is not a regular starter for Blackpool, with Hayden Coulson now the first choice player on the left hand side. He has been electric since joining on loan from Middlesbrough, earning his first goal and assist last weekend against Shrewsbury Town.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
