Ian Holloway has revealed that his main concern for January is keeping the Blackpool squad intact.
Blackpool boss determined to keep players in January
Ian Holloway has revealed that his main concern for January is keeping the Blackpool squad intact, while he may look to strengthen in certain areas.
The Seasiders have made such an impressive start to life in the Premier League that several of Holloway's players could feature on the wish-lists of rival managers.
Holloway is not sure how much interest to expect when the transfer window opens but says it would be wrong of clubs to try and 'steal' his men.
The Bristolian made a number of signings in August and is determined to keep the group he has assembled together as far as is possible.
With regard to possible incomings, Holloway admits that he will keep an open mind as he looks to make sure Blackpool continue to progress.
"I really can't tell you how it is going to go," he said.
"I don't know if anyone is waiting in the wings to try and steal some of my players.
"They would be stealing them, because they could have bought them last year. But now they might want to.
"If that happens - we'll have to wait and see. But we don't need any money or that sort of thing.
"We can keep going, although football evolves and your squad evolves. I'll be looking to see what might be out there, to see what we can do in certain areas.
"This time last year I added some strikers and I thought that got us up. If you look at what we have got at the moment, then I might need to try to do that again if I can.
"But I'd rather keep who I've got and work with them - we took long enough to get them in the summer. I've just got to be careful that we don't weaken."
Harewood boost
Marlon Harewood was one of the summer arrivals at Bloomfield Road and Holloway has confirmed the striker is now back in light training following a hamstring problem.
He has been out of action since late November and Holloway is reluctant to rush his return to the first team.
"We are trying to get him through this hamstring situation," said the Blackpool boss. "He hasn't had them before but now he has had two since he has been with us.
"It was because of fatigue after we had worked him too quickly, too early and I take responsibility for that. He wanted to play and he said he was fit, and I wanted him in the team.
"Now we have to be careful, but if you throw him a ball, he wants to chase it. We've let him join in with things because that is how he is used to getting fit.
"He has already chipped in with five goals, so it would be nice to get him going again and get him fit.
"I do see with some of these games, I'll be able to put him in and give him a certain amount of time - very soon, I think."
Grandin
Midfielder Elliot Grandin sustained a hamstring injury of his own in the 2-0 win at Sunderland on Tuesday and looks set to miss the Tangerines' upcoming run of three games in eight days - although Harewood could feature.
"We're hoping it is not as bad as it could be," Holloway said of Grandin.
"We brought him off quickly, but there is some sort of hamstring damage that we don't know yet.
"We might have to send him off for a scan, but it will probably be the next three games that he won't be available for because they are all coming so quickly.
"But if I have to tickle Marlon through maybe the last one of them because Elliot is not fit, I might have to do that."
