Blackpool dealing with host of injury issues ahead of Sheffield United visit

Paul Heckingbottom will be confident of seeing a response from his Sheffield United players as they look to bounce back from the heavy 4-1 defeat at Coventry City.

Although, they will need to improve their away form if they are to come away from Blackpool with all three points.

They haven’t won any of their last three on the road with their last win away from Bramall Lane coming against Birmingham at the start of February.

Their opponents on Wednesday evening are in great form having won each of their last three games, a run which has continued their slim hopes of a promotion push.

The Seasiders got the better of the Blades when the sides met earlier in the season as Keshi Anderson netted the only goal of the game in the 76th minute back in October.

Neil Critchley will want a repeat performance, and result, from his players at Bloomfield Road on Wednesday but will be without a number of players.

In defence, he will be without the services of Jordan Gabriel (hamstring), Richard Keogh (calf) and Luke Garbutt (knee).

Further up the pitch, Matty Virtue (ACL), Sonny Carey (foot), Grant Ward (Achilles) and the match winner from earlier in the season, Anderson (hamstring), will also miss out.

Despite the lengthy injury list, Critchley will be relieved that James Husband slotted back into the starting XI seamlessly at the weekend on his return from a hamstring injury.

The Blackpool boss will likely be waiting to find out whether or not his defensive partner, Jordan Thorniley, will be available for selection after sustaining a ‘whiplash’ injury against Stoke over a week ago.

The defensive issues will not unduly worry Critchley who has watched his side turn in three, very strong consecutive performances as they have moved within