It has been a difficult start to life back in the Championship for Blackpool.

The Tangerines drew 1-1 with Bristol City on the opening day of the season, and lost 2-1 at home to Cardiff City on Saturday.

Neil Critchley will be looking for his side to put that defeat behind them and push for their first win, all whilst looking to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

Here, we take a look at the latest transfer news and rumours to emerge from Bloomfield Road of late...

Ethan Laird

Swansea are set to wrap up the signing of Manchester United defender Ethan Laird on loan amid late interest from Blackpool.

The Sun reported at the weekend that Blackpool were set to hijack Swansea's swoop for the full-back, who spent last season on loan at MK Dons under Russell Martin.

But the Swans look set to announce the loan signing, as per Ian Mitchelmore, after Laird had a medical and agreed a move to the Liberty on Sunday.

Jordan Gabriel

Soccer Football - League One Play-Off Final - Blackpool v Lincoln City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 30, 2021 Blackpool's Jordan Gabriel with Lincoln City's Brennan Johnson after the match Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your accoun
Soccer Football - League One Play-Off Final - Blackpool v Lincoln City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 30, 2021 Blackpool's Jordan Gabriel with Lincoln City's Brennan Johnson after the match Action Images/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Nottingham Forest's Jordan Gabriel is still unavailable to sign until a bid matches the Reds' valuation of the player.

Blackpool had the right-back on loan at Bloomfield Road last season and he impressed in his 35 appearances for the club.

Gabriel has since returned to Forest and started both the Reds' first two games in the Championship.

Sunderland and Blackpool have both been linked with Gabriel, and Alan Nixon reports that he is still unavailable until a bid is increased.

Neil Critchley

So what does Critchley think, then?

Well, the manager believes that Blackpool are in need of making "one or two" more signings before the transfer window closes.

He told the Blackpool Gazette: "We probably need one or two more players, one or two bits of business to complete in certain areas of the pitch.

"But we’ve got two or three weeks left of the window and I’m hoping that when the window shuts we’ll be in a really healthy position."