Blackpool V Wolverhampton at Bloomfield Road : Match Preview

20 December 2012 15:01
Blackpool V Wolverhampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Bone bruising rules out Evatt

Blackpool will once again be without Ian Evatt when they face Wolves after the defender suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Evatt has not featured since the 1-1 draw at Bristol City last month due to serious bone bruising on and around his knee and broke down on his return to training this week.

"It's not great," he told the Blackpool Gazette. "I was feeling really good last week and started to step up my training, but I've had a reaction.

"I'm a while away from fitness now, I think. It's a case of waiting for it to settle down. It's a frustrating injury which could settle next week or take a month or two.

"I've never had bone bruising before and don't know a lot about it. What I do know is that it can take as long to repair as a fracture. It's not great news."

Stephen Crainey is back from suspension but may struggle to displace Bob Harris, who impressed in his absence at left-back during last weekend's 2-0 home win over Blackburn.

Midfielder Chris Basham remains a major doubt due to ankle ligament damage, however manager Michael Appleton remains hopeful he can play a part in the festive programme.

Winger Matt Phillips (toe) stays on the sidelines.

Wolves have Georg Margreitter available for the trip to Bloomfield Road.

The Austrian defender has been struggling with a hip injury and has not featured since the 6-0 Capital One Cup defeat against Chelsea in September. But after building up his fitness for the reserves in recent weeks, the 24-year-old is now pushing for a return to the squad.

Midfielders Jamie O'Hara and Slawomir Peszko are both back in training but neither will be involved at Bloomfield Road.

But Razak Boukari, who has returned to France while he recovers from a calf injury, is not expected to be back for three months.

He joins fellow long-term absentees Dave Edwards, Steven Mouyokolo, Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Hunt and George Elokobi on the sidelines.

Stale Solbakken's side have won two of their last three matches, after previously going nine matches without a victory.

Source: PA