Blackpool defender Nick Anderton is set to be out of action for up to a month, after suffering a fracture in his foot during training last week, manager Simon Grayson has confirmed.

Anderton has found game time difficult to come by for the Seasiders this season, making just five appearances in all competitions for the club this season, with the 23-year-old starting just once for Blackpool in their current League One campaign.

Even so, it appears Grayson isn't happy about not having his services to call on should he need to in the coming weeks.

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Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette about Anderton's situation, The Tangerines boss revealed: “Last Thursday Nick just went in for a block with Ryan Edwards and unfortunately he caught the bottom of Ryan’s boot.

“He’s got a bit of a fracture, which could be a month or so, but we’ll get more of a report soon.

“This was something totally innocuous between two players going for a challenge in training and Nick has unfortunately come out on the wrong end of it."

Discussing the severity of the injury, Grayson continued: “It’s a hairline fracture, so it could have been a lot worse, that’s for sure. It’s disappointing for Nick but hopefully he’ll be back soon.”

Anderton spent the first half of last season on loan with Blackpool's local League One rivals Accrington Stanley, before returning to Bloomfield Road in January, where he then went on to make ten appearances for the Seasiders in the latter half of the campaign.

Blackpool are currently ninth in League One, three points adrift of the play-offs after a run of just two wins in their last 12 games.

The Seasiders are next in action when they host promotion-chasing Peterborough United on Saturday afternoon.

The Verdict

This is definitely a blow for Blackpool.

While Anderton may not be first choice at this moment in time, a lot can happen in a month in football, meaning they may now find themselves rueing his injury at some point in the next month should other injuries or suspensions take their toll.

It seems therefore that Blackpool may have to tread slightly carefully with regards to their defensive ranks in the coming weeks, something which is not going to help them as they look to improve that worrying recent form.

From a personal perspective, you have to feel sorry for Anderton as well, since this latest setback is only going to make it harder for him to force his way into the side, something he already appeared to be struggling to do.