Potential Blackpool side to face Leeds United as Appleton contends with injury concerns

Blackpool face a real step up in challenge in pre-season when they take on Leeds United on Thursday.

Following a comfortable opening outing for the Seasiders at Southport in the 2-0 victory on Saturday, Michael Appleton will get a good look at how his 4-3-3 system will face up against Premier League opposition with a strong squad available to choose from.

Blackpool will be without a number of players during the remainder of their pre-season campaign as recovery continues ahead of the start of the new Championship season. James Husband continues his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury that forced him off the field against Derby County in the final home game of the season.

Elsewhere, Kevin Stewart and Jake Beesley will be out for the remainder of the pre-season campaign and are expected to miss the beginning of the season with both suffering stress fractures of the foot. Appleton believed Jordan Gabriel would return to training this week having also suffered a hamstring injury but he isn't expected to feature so suddenly.

There will be no Leeds United reunion for Oliver Casey after he joined newly-promoted League One side Forest Green on loan until the end of the season. Appleton has made no bones about the fact he will utilise his 4-3-3 system with Blackpool this season and after fielding a different XI in each half against Southport, he will likely opt for a strong side from the off in this one.

It will be a toss of a coin whether Chris Maxwell or Dan Grimshaw start in the number one spot here with Maxwell having started the first half against Southport. Grimshaw hasn't started for Blackpool since the concussion injury he suffered against Preston North End in April.

Rob Apter played in an unfamiliar right back