Blackpool boss addresses Doug Tharme future following arrival of Liverpool loanee Rhys Williams

Blackpool defender Doug Tharme impressed once again in pre-season against Salford City.

The 22-year-old arrived from National League North side Southport in January under Neil Critchley before being loaned out for the remainder of the campaign. With a new Seasiders Head Coach in the form of Michael Appleton, Tharme has had to work from step one to implement himself within the first-team squad but the initial signs are positive.

A commanding presence and aggressive presser when stepping out, supporters have quickly warmed to Tharme already adorning him with a new chant from the terraces at the Peninsula Stadium. However, with Liverpool defender Rhys Williams arriving on a season-long loan, that makes Tharme's chances of a first-team place all the more difficult.

When asked by Lancs Live if Doug Tharme will leave on loan this summer Appleton was clear that he wouldn't stand in the way of his development: "Possibly, obviously I've not really had a proper conversation around that but with us bringing Rhys (Williams) is sort of does put him down the pecking order ever so slightly and I certainly don't want to stop his development because as you can see tonight, his development is going in the right direction.

"I don't want to put a stop to that so if there's an opportunity for him we won't be standing in his way to continue his development."

Williams arrival showed that central defence was evidently an area Appleton wanted to strengthen following the departure of Oliver Casey on a season-long loan to Forest Green Rovers. Jordan Thorniley, Marvin Ekpiteta and Richard Keogh all played their part in the latest pre-season victory over Salford with competition for places in that area.

That will only increase with a pivotal season