Blackpool face their first away trip of the new Championship season as they travel to Stoke City on Saturday. Buoyed by an opening weekend victory over Reading, the Seasiders face a step up in test against a physical outfit as Michael Appleton continues to look for gradual process in his new-look 4-3-3 system.
Charlie Patino's loan arrival from Arsenal brings competition for places in the heart of midfield but given he has only just arrived this week, the EFL Cup tie against Barrow in midweek may serve as a more ideal first start for the 18-year-old.
The Seasiders will be keen to impose their attacking game on the Potters who are under pressure from their supporters to bounce back from the defeat at Millwall on the opening weekend.
Michael O'Neill's side have freshened up in a number of areas with practically an entirely new central midfield trio to that which Blackpool dispatched on their last outing at Stoke last campaign.