Blackpool V Middlesbrough at Bloomfield Road - Match Preview

Stephen Crainey and Barry Ferguson are pushing for recalls when Blackpool host Middlesbrough in the npower Championship.

Bob Harris started at left-back instead of Crainey when the Seasiders drew 1-1 at Barnsley on Saturday, while Ludovic Sylvestre and Angel Martinez started in central midfield.

Ian Evatt returned to first-team action from an foot injury and is expected to retain his place ahead of Craig Cathcart after suffering no ill effects.

Boss Ian Holloway is enjoying the luxury of a clean bill of health among his well-stocked squad, and Nouha Dicko, Nathan Eccleston and Nathan Delfouneso could come into the reckoning should he choose to rotate his attacking options.

Blackpool lie second in the npower Championship table following an impressive start to the season and Holloway wants his perennial underdogs to warm to their new-found favourites tag.

"I want us to try to be favourites and try to win every game," he told the Blackpool Gazette. "What a credit that is to us. The lads have to be humble, though, and work their socks off like we've always done."

Middlesbrough striker Marvin Emnes will be back in contention following compassionate leave.

The Dutchman returned to his native Surinam to deal with a private family matter and missed the weekend win over Ipswich, but could return to the starting line-up.

Teenager Luke Williams made his first start of the season in the absence of Emnes against Ipswich and scored the opening goal, but could be dropped back to the substitutes' bench.

Midfielders Josh McEachran and Kevin Thomson returned to the side on Saturday following respective thigh and calf problems and are hoping not to have suffered a reaction.

Striker Muzzy Carayol bounced back from a knee injury at the weekend to score the game's second goal after stepping off the bench, and he is pushing for a recall too.

Forward Lukas Jutkiewicz (knee), midfielder Nicky Bailey (hamstring) and defender Rhys Williams (ankle) remain long-term absentees.

Source: PA

Source: PA