Blackpool are facing an anxious wait over Albie Morgan’s fitness, with the midfielder set for a crucial assessment that could determine whether his season is effectively over.
Head coach Ian Evatt has confirmed the outcome is finely balanced, with surgery a real possibility if further tests show the ankle has not healed as hoped.
Morgan faces 50/50 outcome after fresh setback
Morgan has not featured in recent weeks and, despite returning to training earlier this month, was left out of the squad at the weekend after flagging a further issue. The 26-year-old, who joined from Charlton Athletic in 2023, had been expected to come back into contention but instead now faces a decisive medical examination in London.
Speaking about the situation, Ian Evatt explained that the midfielder will undergo a stress test under anaesthetic to determine the true stability of the joint.
“He’s having to go down to London on Wednesday to have a stress test under anaesthetic. “Basically the ligament hasn’t healed as we would’ve liked, but we’re trying to work out if the ankle is still solid or not.
“We can’t do that when he’s awake because he’ll automatically tense up which gives the feeling of a more solid ankle than it would if he was completely relaxed.
“We’ll see where it’s at. It’s pretty much 50/50 at this point. If it’s loose and relaxed then it’ll require surgery; if it’s not then there’ll be a short period of rehab before he can return.
“We’re hopeful it’s option two rather than option one.”
The update leaves Blackpool supporters braced for another potential injury blow in what has been a disruptive campaign on the fitness front.
Supporter frustration grows
Many supporters will now fear the worst, believing the 50/50 prognosis points towards another long absence. That leads to questions as to whether Morgan will feature again this season at all, particularly with his contract situation looming in the background.
While Morgan possesses undoubted ability, his time at Bloomfield Road has been punctuated by spells on the treatment table. It is a difficult narrative for any player, particularly one who has also dealt with a well-documented diabetes diagnosis during his career. Yet football remains ruthless, and availability is often judged as heavily as talent.
If surgery is required, Morgan’s campaign would almost certainly be over. If not, there remains hope of a short rehabilitation period and a late-season return. Either way, the coming days feel significant.
From the outside, it feels like a crossroads moment. There is clearly a player there, but repeated injury interruptions make it hard to build rhythm or influence. With the summer approaching and squad changes expected, this latest update may shape not only the remainder of the season, but also decisions beyond it.