Opposition Lowdown: Ian Evatt’s Midtable Blackpool

**Squad**

Defenders Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe, midfielder George Honeyman and winger Josh Bowler are all expected to miss this weekend’s game through injury.

**Predicted** lineup

*Peacock-Farrell, Walters, Casey, Husband, Brown, CJ Hamilton, Anderson, Clarkson, Ashworth, Bloxham, Fletcher*

**Key player**

**11. Ashley Fletcher**: Striker Fletcher joined Blackpool in June 2024, following his release from Watford. During his youth career, he spent time at Bolton Wanderers before joining the Manchester United academy at the age of 13. He signed his first pro deal at United in 2013 and then went on to join Barnsley on loan. A move to West Ham United followed in 2016 before Fletcher joined Middlesbrough a year later. He made over a century of appearances for Boro over the course of four seasons, scoring 28 goals. He moved to Watford in 2021, but first-team appearances were hard to come by at the Hornets, with Fletcher spending time on loan with New York Red Bulls, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday. The 30-yea- old has had more of a settled period at Blackpool and has scored 32 goals for the Tangerines, with 21 of those coming this season, making him the club’s top scorer. Fletcher is a hard-working striker with strong positioning.

**One to watch**

**4. Oliver Casey**: Defender Casey joined Blackpool in June 2021, signing from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee. Casey started his career in the youth setup at Leeds and made his debut for his hometown club in December 2019. He only made a further two first-team appearances for the Whites before his move to Blackpool. First-team appearances were hard to come by in his first season with the Tangerines, so Casey spent his second year on loan at Forest Green Rovers. He became a first-team regular upon his return and has gone on to make 140 appearances for Blackpool, scoring six goals. The 25-year-old is a centre-back who is strong in the air and is a consistent performer in Blackpool’s back line.