Blackpool boss Steve Bruce has stated that Ashley Fletcher is in a race against time to be ready for their game against Bolton Wanderers.
The Tangerines have struggled so far this season with four losses from their five games so far this season, and were beaten by bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle on the road in their last match. On top of their early-season woes, Blackpool have seen a striker crisis emerge with an injury to Ashley Fletcher and Niall Ennis’ three-game suspension following a straight red card against Huddersfield Town.
Bruce Hopes For Fletcher Return
With both Fletcher and Ennis out, Bruce has been forced into playing George Honeyman in a more advanced role alongside Dale Taylor, but without any results with no goals in the last two games against Mansfield Town and Plymouth. Tom Bloxham could also emerge as an alternative choice, with the return of Danny Imray during the second half of the match at Home Park.
The former Hull City boss addressed the Seasiders’ current injury concerns ahead of their Lancashire derby against Bolton Wanderers, with a loss on Saturday guaranteeing that Blackpool will sink into the bottom four by the end of play. Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, Bruce stated:
“We’ve seen a little bit of Danny (Imray) getting back, and we’ve seen Albie (Morgan) back in the last week or so – things are looking better in that respect.
“We’ll know a little bit more about Fraser (Horsfall) when he gets on the grass. It could be a big ask for him to play against Bolton, because he’s been in a boot for the best part of two weeks. We hope he’s on the grass and we hope he’s injury free.
“Fletch could possibly make it, we’ll see how he is during the week and if we don’t think it’s that bad – let’s hope so.”
The 29-year-old has scored 12 times since joining the club from Sheffield Wednesday last summer, and was the only scorer for Blackpool in their 4-1 defeat away to Exeter City earlier this season.
Writers’ View
Whilst it would be great for Blackpool to have relief for their striker concerns against Bolton, this one may not be worth the risk to do. An unfit Ashley Fletcher in this game could risk another injury which ruled him out of the past two matches and cause further issues down the line, or perhaps limit the effectiveness of the front line with a partially fit striker. Sticking with Dale Taylor and George Honeyman is the right choice in this game, or possibly a rotation of Tom Bloxham alongside the former Wigan Athletic man and play Danny Imray in a more advanced role on the right-hand side.
