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Blackpool squad news V Grimsby Town: Four out and one doubt for EFL Cup first round The new EFL season gets underway this weekend - with Blackpool facing Grimsby Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup. Blackpool take on Grimsby Town in the first round of the EFL Cup this afternoon (K.O. 3pm). Ian Evatt’s side will be looking to set the tone early on, and head into their League One opener against Wycombe Wanderers with a spring in their step from Blundell Park. Having missed the majority of pre-season action, Albie Morgan, George Honeyman and Leighton Clarkson should all be back to boost the club’s midfield options, but a number of others are set to miss the opening weekend of competitive action. Here’s the latest squad news: Fraser Horsfall (Out) Fraser Horsfall has spent the summer working his way back to fitness after undergoing ankle surgery. Despite being back on the grass for the club’s open training session on Monday, the centre back has since endured complications in his recovery. It currently remains unclear when the ex-Stockport County man will be back in action. Providing an update, head coach Evatt said: “Fraser (Horsfall) has had some complications so he won’t be available tomorrow. We don’t know how long at the moment, but the ankle isn’t where he wants it to be or we need it to be. He was in late stage rehab, but just wasn’t quite where we needed him to be, so it’s back to the drawing board on that.” Michael Ihiekwe (Out) Like Horsfall, Michael Ihiekwe is also recovering from surgery, with a toe issue plaguing his first year in Tangerine. While the defender is making progress, the Seasiders are taking a patient approach, meaning his return to action isn’t imminent. Dion Charles (Out) This weekend’s game comes just too soon for Huddersfield Town loanee Dion Charles. The forward missed the final games of pre-season due to a bruised foot, after being forced off against Barrow. Oluchi Nwankwo (Out) Teenager Oluchi Nwankwo was forced off in the second half of Blackpool’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers last month due to a knee problem. The contact injury is set to keep the defender out for the next couple of months. Tom Bloxham (Doubt) It’s 50/50 whether Tom Bloxham will be fit enough to feature away to Grimsby after missing the majority of pre-season action. Discussing the forward, Evatt said: “He is very very close. I’ve not made the final call on whether he travels, but he’s almost there.”