The following League One opponents of Blackpool have a lot of injuries, so the Tangerines may get a chance to score on Saturday.
The biggest test Blackpool has faced thus far in the League One season is against undefeated Portsmouth.
With ten victories and six draws, Pompey leads the table. Their only losses this year have come in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. If the Tangerines wish to convey a message and declare themselves as contenders for promotion, a victory at Fratton Park would undoubtedly help them do so.
But things aren’t easy for John Mousinho and his team; they might be without up to seven players on Saturday. The South Coast team is dealing with multiple injuries, two of which will prevent them from playing in the 2023–2024 season. Following his ACL tear during the FA Cup loss to Chesterfield, Wales international Regan Poole will not be available for selection for Mousinho until October 2024.
Even worse, after the Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin was injured in the match against Chesterfield, it was announced that he would be out for at least two months. After suffering a worse-than-expected hamstring tear on November 5, it was originally thought he would be out for six to eight weeks. However, he has now been out for at least eight weeks.
Blackpool played last week despite the international break, but one of Pompey’s international players failed to report for duty. After suffering a calf injury in the 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic, Paddy Lane withdrew from duty last Wednesday, raising doubts about his availability for the match on Saturday. He was unable to train with his countrymen.
Marlon Pack, the club captain, sustained an ankle ligament injury against Wigan Athletic on September 30 and has missed the last nine Pompey games. Pack is back in the training and could make a comeback for the hosts.
A left-back After battling an injury for a few months, Connor Ogilvie is now sidelined for at least one month. Like Pack, he suffered an injury to his ankle ligament, and he should be back around Christmas.
Tom Lowery, a midfielder, hasn’t been able to be selected since the season’s first game due to a knee injury. He has resumed his “modified” training, and he might try to play against Blackpool, though he would probably only be able to fill a supporting role.
The hosts’ confirmed absence for the match is winger Anthony Scully, who hasn’t played since the end of August due to a knee injury. Josh Martin, a free agent, was signed by Portsmouth to bolster the team in anticipation of his and Anjorin’s absence. He is anticipated to return in the new year.
