Blackpool hit by striker setback

Blackpool (4/5 to finish bottom of the Premier League) will be without striker Billy Clarke for the first two months of the season after he suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season match.

The 23-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Tangerines’ clash with non-league Tiverton Town, a game Blackpool won 2-0.

With a seriously thin squad at present, boss Ian Holloway admitted it was the “last thing” he needed going into the new Premier League season.

Holloway said: “It’s an occupational hazard I’m afraid but when you’ve got as few numbers as I’ve got it makes it a tad difficult.”

The Tangerines are already short of striking options ahead of their opening day game with Wigan (4/5 in bet365 Match Betting) following the departure of Ben Burgess and last season’s loan signings DJ Campbell and Stephen Dobbie returning to their parent clubs.

Trialist Francis Jeffers played 45 minutes of the Seasiders’ 2-1 midweek victory over Accrington Stanley as he attempts to earn a permanent deal at Bloomfield Road.

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