Blackpool caretaker manager David Dunn says he is hopeful that striking pair Armand Gnanduillet and Gary Madine will not be out long-term due to injury.

Both players were withdrawn during Blackpool's 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers on Saturday, in what was Dunn's first game in temporary charge following the sacking of Simon Grayson last week.

Madine had opened the scoring in that game, but was withdrawn at half time after centre back Ben Heneghan was shown a red card with just two minutes remaining in the first-half, and explaining why it was Madine who was substituted at that point, Dunn told the Blackpool Gazette: “After the sending off, we had to change it with a couple of changes at half time.

"Gary Madine was struggling with his knee a touch and we obviously knew with the wind behind them we’d have balls flying in our box. With Connor Ronan’s height, we had to sacrifice him (Madine) as well.”

Gnanduillet meanwhile was taken off with around just over ten minutes of the game remaining, and discussing the reasoning behind that change, Dunn added: “I think he’s going to be okay, but it was just a bit of a precaution to bring him off.

“He was feeling his hamstring. Whether it was cramp or something, I’m not too sure.”

So far this season, Gnanduillet has been in outstanding form for Blackpool, scoring 15 goals in 28 league appearances for the club, a scoring return which is 11 higher than any of his teammates.

Madine, who rejoined Blackpool following his release by Cardiff City in January, has so far scored two goals in his six appearances for the club since returning to Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool are next in action on Saturday afternoon, when they travel to Kingsmeadow to face AFC Wimbledon.

The Verdict

This ought to be a big relief for Blackpool.

Gnanduillet has been in prolific form all season, and you only have to look at his goals return in comparison to the rest of this side to see how important he is to their aims for the final few months of the campaign.

Madine has also made a quick impact since his move back to Bloomfield Road last month, so it seems as though having him back in action quickly could also be a boost, given it looks as though he could make a similar sort of scoring impact to Gnanduillet.

Indeed, with AFC Wimbledon going into that clash with Blackpool off the back of a 5-0 thrashing by Oxford in midweek, this could be an opportunity for the Seasiders to rectify their own poor form of late, so they will be desperate to have those key players such as Gnanduillet and Madine available for that trip.