Blackpool manager Neil Critchley is pessimistic about Jordan Rhodes’ chances of returning for the League One run-in, as the Scottish striker remains sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
Rhodes was a key player in the first half of the League One campaign. The 34-year-old struck 15 goals in his first 19 matches of the 2023/24 campaign before he was ruled out with a rib injury sustained during the Tangerines’ 1-1 draw against Charlton in late January.
Despite returning in early March, Rhodes suffered another injury setback, coming off with a knee ligament injury during Blackpool’s 1-0 loss at Wigan on March 16. The Scottish forward has not featured for Blackpool since his latest injury and returned to parent club Huddersfield for additional recovery.
Rhodes’ consistency has suffered in the second half of the campaign following his injuries. The 34-year-old’s last goal came in December 2023 in Blackpool’s 3-1 triumph over Forest Green and he has completed a full 90 minutes just four times since last hitting the net, as recorded by Whoscored.
Blackpool are locked in a League One play-off race with just two matches remaining as the Lancashire outfit are seventh in the standings and three points behind Oxford, who occupy sixth place. However, the Tangerines are closely followed by Lincoln and Stevenage, who are eighth and ninth respectively and within touching distance of the play-off places.
When speaking to the Blackpool Gazette about Rhodes’ chances of returning before the end of the League One season, Critchley remained cautious. The 45-year-old explained that his top scorer was making progress and had an outside chance of returning for the play-offs if Blackpool were to qualify.
“It’s going better. He’s doing more work out of his brace now and has had another injection. He was with us on Friday and hopefully he’ll be back with us from Monday. He’s still been coming to our games, we’re always happy to see him.
“If we see him play again between now and the end of the season, we’d have to get in the play-offs, but even then it’d be touch and go.”
Wrtier’s View
Blackpool have generally coped well without Rhodes during the latter stages of the season, winning 10 of their 19 League One matches. However, goalscoring has been a regular issue for Critchley’s side, who have failed to score in seven of their last 15 fixtures.
If Rhodes did return for the play-offs, it would provide the Lancashire side with a massive attacking boost. Yet the severity of the Scotsman’s ligament injury means time may not be on his side, with a return next season the more realistic option.
