Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer says Town target Curtis Tilt was left out of his side on Saturday as he was “mentally drained” due to the uncertainty surrounding his future. The Blues have been chasing the 27-year-old since June but with the clubs still to agree a fee.
"He trained well last week but it’s human nature, isn’t it?” Bowyer told the Blackpool Gazette after his team’s 0-0 League One draw at Wycombe, Tilt having travelled with the squad but not been included in the 18.
"It takes a lot out of you mentally when you’re being linked constantly. There’s been negotiations toing and froing from what I understand, and I just thought he looked a little bit mentally drained with it all. You can’t be doing that going into this game.
"But listen, he’s been no problem and I understand his situation but I had to make a call for the good of the team.”
Town are understood to have made a number of offers with their latest bid believed to have been in the region of £700,000 while Blackpool have dug their heels in having set their valuation at £1 million.
It’s now reported that majority owner Owen Oyston is loath to lose Tilt, who was signed from Wrexham a year ago and is understood to have handed in a transfer request.
Quizzed on whether he expects Tilt to depart before Thursday’s 5pm deadline, Bowyer added: "It’s not up to me I’m afraid. The lad wants to play at a higher level, who can deny him? Well I know who can deny him, of course.
"But I can’t blame his ambition or bemoan him or anything like that. This time last year he was making his debut at 25 or 26 from non-league.”
Meanwhile, Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman says striker Kayden Jackson won’t be going anywhere unless the League One club’s valuation is met.
The Blues have made bids of up to £1.75 million for the 24-year-old but with the Lancastrians having put a £2.5 million price tag on his head, higher than their initial valuation with a number of other Championship clubs, including QPR, also having shown interest.
Having been given that figure Town started looking elsewhere for alternatives and are also interested in taking Cardiff’s Omar Bogle on loan. However, it’s believed they are continuing to maintain a dialogue with Stanley regarding Jackson.
The former Barnsley man was reported to have made a transfer request last week, something which was subsequently denied by Accrington chairman Andy Holt.
"There’s a line drawn in the sand on that, everyone’s clear about it. If someone doesn’t match that valuation we move on,” Coleman told the Lancashire Telegraph following their 2-0 defeat at Gillingham on Saturday in which Jackson started.
"Kayden’s a good lad and he’s got a sound head on his shoulders. Whatever happens will happen.
"It might have been a bit difficult for him [on Saturday] because he’s gone through a lot this week, a lot of speculation, and it’s mentally draining.
"That’s why we took him off for the last 10-15 minutes or so. It wasn’t the way he was playing we just thought he was a bit tired with what’s gone on this week.
"But I’ve got no problem with Kayden whether he stays or he goes, and I know he’ll give 100 per cent.”