Bruce confirmed the issues are part of a challenging period for his squad as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.
Key Players Sidelined
Midfielder Sonny Carey was ruled out due to a muscle injury, an unusual setback for the player who, according to Bruce, has never experienced such an issue before. The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks.
“Sonny has got a muscle injury. He’s never had one before in his life, so it’ll be a matter of weeks I would’ve thought. We’ve got to be a bit patient for those things, even though it’s frustrating. Bolton will come too soon.”
Ashley Fletcher, who started in midweek against Harrogate Town in the EFL Trophy, was absent due to illness. Bruce confirmed that the forward had been struck down by a bug, further depleting Blackpool’s options.
Sonny Carey
Carey began his career at Norwich City, spending seven years in their academy before his release in 2017. He trialled with Cambridge United and Oxford United and represented the England Colleges FA team in 2018–19. After a stint with Norwich United, he joined Wroxham in the Eastern Counties League before moving to King’s Lynn Town. Carey signed for Blackpool in June 2021, netting his first Football League goal in a 3–1 win over Peterborough. On 2 November 2024, he shone in the FA Cup, scoring both goals in Blackpool’s 2–0 win over Gillingham.
Blackpool Injury Woes Deepen
During the draw against Northampton, Kyle Joseph and CJ Hamilton were both forced off with injuries, while defender James Husband suffered a broken nose. The new setbacks add to a growing list of absentees that already includes Elkan Baggott, Andy Lyons, and Jake Beesley. Additionally, midfielder Albie Morgan is currently unavailable as he adjusts to living with a recent Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
Writer’s View
Injuries and illness are a manager’s worst nightmare, and Steve Bruce finds himself facing a mounting challenge at Blackpool. The timing of these setbacks is particularly unfortunate as the Seasiders aim to build momentum in League One. However, Bruce’s experience and the depth of the squad will be critical in weathering this storm. The next few games will be pivotal, not just for results but also for assessing how well Blackpool can adapt under pressure.
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