Blackpool’s final away game of 2025 finished with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium.
Emil Hansson, who is on loan from Birmingham City, has missed the last two games for Blackpool.
The midfielder’s most recent appearance for the Seasiders was a 4-1 win over Carlisle United in the FA Cup second round earlier this month.
During the first half of the game, the 27-year-old assisted Ashley Fletcher before being replaced at halftime due to a calf injury.
Hansson was deemed fit enough to be named to the bench for a 3-0 win over Rotherham United a few days after the Cumbrians game, but he has subsequently been left out of the matchday squad.
Since his temporary move to Bloomfield Road in the summer, the Blues player has struggled for consistency, and despite signing as a winger, he has been utilized as the more attacking option in a midfield three since Ian Evatt took over in October.
The head coach explained Hansson’s absence from Blackpool’s recent 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic, saying: “He was injured and missed the last matchday squad with a calf issue.” Today, as the squad becomes more competitive, I try to predict what will happen at the start of the game and what the changes will look like.
“I felt like we needed different options with different skillsets than Emil, but he’s a big player for us.”
Ihiekwe’s latest
Michael Ihiekwe was also absent from Saturday’s game at the Brick Community Stadium.
The defender has been dealing with a toe injury in recent weeks and was pulled out at halftime in the Seasiders’ last home game against Lincoln City.
“We’re just managing this issue, there’s a lot of variables,” replied Evatt.
“One day it seems to have settled and then the next day it inflames, so we’re in the lap of the gods.”
Your next Gazette story: An ex-Wigan Athletic player outlines the essential cause behind Blackpool’s recent turnaround.
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