news-engine

Blackpool squad news V Wycombe Wanderers: Five out of League One opener Blackpool will be hoping to have a few more bodies available to start their meeting with Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon. The League One season gets underway this afternoon with Blackpool taking on Wycombe Wanderers. Ian Evatt’s side will be looking to build on their 3-1 victory over Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, and set themselves up for a strong 2026/27 campaign. Both Dion Charles and Tom Bloxham should be back for the Seasiders after missing the trip to Blundell Park, but a number of others will be absent. Here’s the latest squad news: Dale Taylor (Out) Dale Taylor has missed the start of the season due to a hamstring injury - which is set to keep him out for the next six to eight weeks. Ilmari Niskanen (Out) Ilmari Niskanen endured a nightmare competitive debut for the Seasiders, with his afternoon against Grimsby coming to an early conclusion due to a shoulder injury. Things aren’t as bad as first feared for the Finland international, but he’s still set to be on the sidelines for the next four weeks. Fraser Horsfall (Out) Fraser Horsfall 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 last 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 last week, 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. 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.