Blackpool manager Steve Bruce has announced that on loan Crystal Palace right-back Danny Imray is set to be out for three months.
The 22-year-old was stretchered off after only 14 minutes into the Seasiders League One match against Luton Town on Tuesday evening.
A Positive Start
The 22-year-old right-back, joined Blackpool on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace in July in the latest step in his development.
Following a productive loan at Bromley last season, where he made 39 league appearances and scored once in League Two, Imray has quickly impressed at Bloomfield Road so far this season.
He debuted impressively before earning Man of the Match in a 1-1 draw against Bolton in September. With four starts and over 280 minutes played so far, the Palace academy product is adapting seamlessly to life in League One.
Key Injuries
Blackpool are grappling with a mounting injury crisis as they head into the middle of the season, sidelining key contributors to the team . Striker Niall Ennis is out after picking up a concerning knock in the recent game at Bradford last weekend with fears of a potential Achilles tear.
New summer signing George Honeyman, a vital creative force in the midfield is reported to be facing around six weeks on the sidelines due to an unspecified issue.
Winger Scott Banks is also absent, nursing an injury expected to keep him out for the next month.
Captain James Husband remains the longest-term absentee, recovering from significant hamstring surgery and not due back until December. These blows test the Seasiders’ depth in League One with the team currently struggling in the League
Bruce’s Comments
In his post match interview, Bruce said:
“Our immediate thought for Danny is he’s a young loan player, we can see the talent he’s got. He’s made a difference to us coming into the team. Let’s hope the operation is a success and he has a full recovery.”
“He will go back to Palace for two or three weeks and then we’ll have dialogue. We have to understand that he’s their player so what they want, they will get.”
“Two weeks ago we were leaving three behind, now all of a sudden we’ve lost three or four. We understand it’s a part of football but at the moment it’s a bit cruel on us. They’re not two or three weeks, they’re three or four months.”
Writers View
Blackpool’s woes have significantly deepened with Danny Imray’s meniscus tear, sidelining the Palace loanee for three months, which is nothing short of another cruel twist in a negative campaign thus far at Bloomfield Road. As the Seasiders scramble to climb League One, this loss tests their resolve yet again.
