Blackpool predicted line-up vs Everton as Michael Appleton set to field strongest side

Blackpool face another difficult challenge against Premier League opposition as Everton come to Bloomfield Road on Sunday.

The Seasiders have had an interesting pre-season campaign so far with a simple win at Southport followed up by a heavy defeat to Leeds United. A week away at a Scotland training camp looks to have paid dividends with a much-improved performance in the narrow loss to Rangers before a disappointing first-half display was turned around in the second half to defeat Salford last time out.

Now, Michael Appleton will have a clear idea of who will play a part in the Championship season opener against Reading as he hinted at playing his strongest side against Frank Lampard's men before a midweek trip to AFC Fylde where rotation players will get valuable minutes.

Blackpool remain without Jordan Gabriel and James Husband, both of whom are likely to miss the start of the season through injury, whilst Kevin Stewart and Jake Beesley will both also miss the opening day with stress fractures of the foot. Full back options remain short as the club remain very keen on a move for Shamrock Rovers full back Andy Lyons, Luke Garbutt is the only natural senior full back who is fit at this moment in time.

Jack Moore and Rob Apter have both been impressive in pre-season but Appleton may opt for experience in the early stages of the season as he beds his style into the squad. That would leave Callum Connolly filling the right back role, as he did against Rangers, with Kenny Dougall the viable option in the holding midfield role as a result.

Lewis Fiorini's impressive display at Salford will see him pushing for a start but Keshi Anderson and Sonny Carey haven't put a foot wrong this summer and as such should be starting