Blackpool Football Club News

• Nickname:The Seasiders or Tangerines
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Ian Holloway

• Ground:Bloomfield Road
• Capacity:11,000

Clarke faces three-month lay-off

21 Jul 2010 - 16:36:14

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Blackpool striker Billy Clarke will miss the start of the campaign with the knee injury he sustained in last week's pre-season friendly against Tiverton Town.

The 22-year-old, who picked up the problem less than two minutes in to the game, could be sidelined for up to three months.

"It's a bit worrying for us and for Bill," confirmed Seasiders boss Ian Holloway. "He's going to be out for at least two months, possibly three.

"He's definitely got a bit of meniscus which is cartilage and he's definitely got an anterior cruciate which is torn and it's not going to be a quick fix.

"I feel for the boy, it's the last thing we needed. He looked sharp as a tack and ready to go and try and get a place in our team really.

"He was hampered last season with a knee injury when he was absolutely on fire. He scored a brilliant goal and then had to come off and didn't play for six to eight weeks, so it's an occupational hazard.

"But at the moment, when you have as few numbers as I've got, it makes it a tad difficult."