Blackpool host Stoke on Saturday hoping for a much-needed win as the relegation battle hots up.
Tangerines hope for vital victory against Cup finalists
Blackpool host Stoke on Saturday hoping for a much-needed win as the Premier League's relegation battle hots up.
Pool came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Newcastle last week but they were unable to claim the three points they probably deserved.
Stoke did them a favour in midweek by claiming a 3-0 home win against second-bottom Wolves, allowing the Seasiders to remain above the drop zone on goal difference.
Pool boss Ian Holloway reckons they need just one more win to ensure they do not make an immediate return to the Championship.
And after last week's positive performance against Newcastle, they will be hopeful of claiming that victory against a Stoke side that may have one eye on the FA Cup final on May 14.
Stoke safe
The Potters' midweek win put them past the 40-point mark so their top-flight status has been secured for another year, and some players may be wary of getting injured ahead of their Wembley showpiece against Manchester City.
However, they will also be keen to impress as they aim to stake a claim for selection and Tony Pulis is not the kind of manager to accept his players giving anything less than 100 per cent.
Blackpool have won just once in their last 14 games and although this will be their fourth successive match at Bloomfield Road, they have taken just one point from the last three games.
But they will take inspiration from the fact 11-goal top scorer DJ Campbell scored the only goal in the reverse fixture at the Britannia in December.
Team news
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway will have virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Striker James Beattie has been feeling unwell but trained on Thursday and Holloway expects left-back Stephen Crainey to be available despite sustaining a toe problem.
David Carney, whose season has been ended by a shoulder injury, is the only definite absentee.
Stoke will be without influential winger Matthew Etherington after he tore a hamstring in the midweek win over Wolves.
The 29-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for the FA Cup final but striker Ricardo Fuller is definitely out after it was confirmed this week he suffered a ruptured Achilles in the draw with Aston Villa last weekend.
Dean Whitehead, who replaced Etherington against Wolves, will hope to be given the chance to stake his claim for a cup final spot while John Carew could be given his first start in almost two months. Danny Higginbotham (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Possible starting XIs:
Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey, Southern, Adam, Vaughan, Phillips, Campbell, Varney.
Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Delap, Whelan, Whitehead, Pennant, Walters, Jones.
