The absence of Olly Casey has handed Lincoln City an unexpected subplot ahead of Saturday.
Blackpool’s key defender missed their 3-0 midweek win against Rotherham United and remains a doubt for the visit of City.
Casey a concern after midweek injury absence
Blackpool head into Saturday with renewed confidence after a convincing 3-0 victory at Rotherham, yet the win came without a player who has been central to their progress this season. Olly Casey, 24 years old and an ever-present across Blackpool’s League One campaign, was forced to sit out the trip to the New York Stadium with what Ian Evatt described as a minor abdominal fascia issue.
Casey has already made 18 league appearances this season and has been widely regarded as one of Blackpool’s standout performers. He started their FA Cup tie against Carlisle the previous weekend, so his sudden omission raised eyebrows among Seasiders supporters. Those eyebrows will extend to us as well, because Casey’s status directly affects the challenge City will face at Bloomfield Road.
Evatt confirmed that the injury is not severe, describing it as “nothing major,” but also admitted that it was enough to keep the centre back sidelined on Wednesday night. When pressed on his chances of returning for the meeting with Lincoln, he could only offer caution.
“He may be ready for Saturday, but we do not know,” Evatt said.
How the Seasiders coped without him
With Casey unavailable, Evatt turned to a back three of Michael Ihiekwe (yes, that will kill Lincoln etc.), Fraser Horsfall and James Husband. The trio performed strongly in South Yorkshire, and the manager praised the group for stepping in. Husband returned to the side, and Evatt felt he was “magnificent.” Ihiekwe showed his quality across the 90 minutes, while Horsfall dealt well with Rotherham’s centre forward. Mind you, for something like £15,000 per week combined, you’d expect them to be able to step up.
The win lifted the Seasiders to 22nd in the table, just a single point from safety. With them and Peterborough beginning to find their feet under new managers, the likes of Exeter, Burton and Northampton will be looking nervously over their shoulders.