Key men out, Varney form and Ollie enjoys life in PL

Last updated : 06 March 2011 By INOIT

Campbell begins a three-match suspension after he was sent off in the 4-0 defeat at Wolves last Saturday, while Adam serves the second of his two-game ban for picking up 10 yellow cards this season.

Defender Stephen Crainey, who has not made a first-team appearance since January 22 due to an ankle injury, is in line to return against the Blues and midfielder Elliot Grandin, absent for the last two games with a hamstring problem, has an outside chance of being involved.

However, the match will come too soon for Gary Taylor-Fletcher (hamstring) and Matt Gilks (knee).

Varney looks to rediscover magic touch

Blackpool forward Luke Varney wants to recapture his early-season form following a barren spell in front of goal.

The on-loan Derby player notched five times in his first three months for the Seasiders although he was recently taken out of the first-team picture by Ian Holloway.

But following clear-the-air talks with the Pool boss, Varney is relishing the prospect of playing his part in the club's push for Premier League survival.

"I did put pressure on myself and it has probably affected me a bit," he told the club's official website. "I must admit I am looking forward to the games from now until the end of the season because I don't feel like I've put as much into the team as I probably could have done in the last few months.

"I'm really excited, I've had a good chat with the gaffer and I'm feeling good about the next few games and helping Blackpool achieve what the club needs.

"I'm working hard in training to finish my chances off and I've had patches like this before in my career. If I score and set up goals for the team I'll be delighted."

Holloway enjoying Premier League life

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway insists he is still loving his first season of top-flight management - even if it has left him looking "haggard and jaded".

The Seasiders, who were widely tipped to finish bottom of the Barclays Premier League following their promotion from the Championship last summer, made an impressive start to the 2010-11 campaign and at the turn of the year sat comfortably in mid-table.

Their form has stuttered somewhat since January 1, with only two wins - albeit against Liverpool and Tottenham - recorded from 11 fixtures.

Currently they are hovering just above the relegation zone, but with 10 games to go, remain very much in contention to beat the drop.

"We've had almost a full season in the Premier League," Holloway said. "I look haggard and jaded but I'm loving every minute of it. It has been absolutely fantastic and I'm proud of how we've tried to acquit ourselves.

"Some days it has gone horribly wrong, but I've kept my dignity, kept smiling. We are nowhere near as low as we should be - we should be off the chart, halfway up in the Championship."

Source: PA