Former Town striker Billy Clarke will not be in the Blackpool side which is due to face the Blues in a third round FA Cup tie at Bloomfield Park on Saturday. The game could be in doubt with the Tangerines’ match against Sheffield Wednesday having been postponed on Monday and with further bad weather expected.

Clarke, released by the Blues in the summer, is not yet over a knee problem with manager Ian Holloway expecting his return within a few weeks: "I gave Billy a little bit of time off over the festive period because he isn't quite ready yet.

"He'll definitely be fit in January but we're not sure exactly when yet. It will be good to get him back because he gives us even more options.

"He was doing very well and was really starting to settle. He scored his first league goal against Preston and that gave him a lot of confidence.

"It was a shame he got the injury when he did but he's had a breather now. I'm sure he'll be champing at the bit and will hopefully carry on where he left off."

Blackpool’s lack of pitch covers has been criticised with both their last two home games postponed while matches at nearby non-league grounds have gone ahead.

However, chairman Karl Oyston says covers are not currently a priority: "I'm not God and I don't control the weather. As from next season it will be a Football League regulation that all clubs have covers, but it isn't at the moment.

"People will always go on about something and will always know better, but as it stands we don't have to have covers and we haven't got them.

"People going on about things doesn't create money to buy them. Of course we'd like to have them, but this season we are prioritising on the field — and that is paying significant dividends, as I'm sure everyone will agree."

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 09:34 - Dec 30 "I'm not God and I don't control the weather" - Karl Oyston Nice to see a chairmen thinking of his fans and investing in covers.
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HighSeasBlue added 09:35 - Dec 30 I reckon it is a good bet that this match won't go ahead due to the weather! Hope Billy settles at Blackpool and realises his early promise.
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jas0999 added 10:03 - Dec 30 Highly unlikely this will go ahead. It's very poor in todays modern football that a Championship club can not invest in covers and get a match on - particularly if non league clubs down the road can!
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muhrensleftfoot added 11:04 - Dec 30 Don't expect they worried too much about a bit of snow or frost on the pitch when Stanley Matthews or Jimmy Armfield were playing for them
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owenitfc added 00:04 - Dec 31 i hope it goes ahead! my cheap train tickets are non refundable, i might be able to change the dates to use for preston away with a bit of luck
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