Blackpool may have four injured players return to fitness ahead of two crucial fixtures that round out 2024.
The Seasiders play two of the title favourites in League One on Boxing Day and in their last match this year against Wrexham and Birmingham City and have the potential to upset the apple cart as they hope to continue a four-game unbeaten run in the third tier.
Four Return From Injuries
Blackpool have been short in some key areas but they look set to be handed a major boost on the wings with the return of CJ Hamilton. The 29-year-old has been out of action since the middle of November against Northampton Town. His absence has seen striker Dom Ballard move onto the left-hand side, with Elliot Embleton also featuring in a few games.
Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, Tangerines boss Steve Bruce spoke about the former Mansfield Town man and the other players returning from injury.
“We’ve got two or three coming back who have obviously been out for a long time.
“We’ll see where we are next week, but it looks as if we’re nearly getting there – especially someone like CJ on an afternoon like today (against Stevenage).
“In wide areas we’ve only really got CJ and Rob Apter who are natural wide players so it’ll be good to see him back.
“We hope he could play. He’s a naturally fit lad but he hasn’t played for the best of two months. It’s a big call, but we hope he can take part in something.
“Sonny Carey looks as if he’s alright, and Andy (Lyons) looks okay-ish – he’s just joining in. Big Elkan (Baggott) is the other one. They haven’t played a lot, which is a big problem, so we’ll have to be clever.”
Writer’s View
With two major fixtures rounding out their 2024, Steve Bruce will be relieved that he will have much more flexibility in these matches. Blackpool will want revenge on Birmingham with their FA Cup defeat and Wrexham are a very similar tough test. Whilst they may not get the results they like out of these matches, having four players back in the squad will give players some well-needed rest and can target the games against Shrewsbury Town and Cambridge United to build a solid footing to launch their play-off ambitions in the remainder of the season.
