Steve Bruce has praised the resilience of Stoke City loanee Niall Ennis after the striker played a crucial role in Blackpool’s 3-3 draw against Mansfield Town.
The 25-year-old was a doubt for the fixture after suffering a back injury earlier in the week, but he managed to complete the full 90 minutes and scored the equaliser.
Despite a difficult afternoon for the Seasiders, Ennis’ late goal salvaged a point after they had initially taken the lead through Sonny Carey. However, the visitors responded with goals from Will Evans, Keanu Baccus, and Lucas Akins before Ashley Fletcher pulled one back. Ennis then secured a share of the spoils with his second goal since arriving at Bloomfield Road.
Steve Bruce’s Verdict on Ennis
Bruce was pleased with Ennis’ ability to push through his fitness concerns and highlighted his impact on the game.
“He’s got another goal, which he can do, he’s got the equaliser for us. He was touch-and-go, he’s not played a lot of football, we’ve had one or two who have had knocks, Fletch had one too, so he did well to get through it.”
The Blackpool manager acknowledged that injuries are becoming a concern but commended his squad’s depth, especially those who came off the bench to make an impact.
“I’m more concerned about the lads that came on and helped the team enormously today because some of them have had to wait patiently,” Bruce added. “We’ll put some work into them as always this week and get ready for another home game.”
Tom Bloxham Injury Update
Bruce also provided an update on the status of Tom Bloxham, who has been sidelined with a calf injury. The winger made a strong start to life at Blackpool after joining last month, scoring one goal and providing two assists in his first four games. However, he has been out of action in recent weeks.
Bruce confirmed that Bloxham remains some way off returning to full training.
“He’s been two weeks now, so we expect him to be another week to 10 days. The injury was bordering on a month overall. He’s still nowhere near training, you’ve got to box clever when it’s a muscle injury.”
The Seasiders will be hoping to have Bloxham back soon, as they look to strengthen their push for a League One play-off spot. In the meantime, Bruce will rely on his available squad to navigate a demanding schedule.
Writer’s View
Niall Ennis’ performance against Mansfield showed why Blackpool were eager to bring him in on loan. Despite carrying a knock, he played the full match and stepped up when it mattered most. His ability to contribute goals will be vital for Steve Bruce’s side as they aim for a strong finish to the season.
