Blackpool are monitoring the situation of their three promotion-winning loan stars, according to Neil Critchley.

The Seasiders brought Elliot Embleton, Jordan Gabriel and Ellis Simms in on short-term arrangements from Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Everton respectively as they battled their way into the Championship via the League One play-offs last term.

Those three players have all now returned to their parent clubs and look set to compete for a place in the plans of their respective clubs, but with Blackpool making plans for the season ahead, Critchley has hinted that he'll be watching what the future holds for the three players with the view to offering them a route back to Bloomfield Road.

Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, Critchley said: “Ellis has had an operation, so he will be out for a lengthy period of time.
“When the players aren’t yours, the decision isn’t yours either because you’re governed by what other clubs think about them and decide. It’s never in your hands.
“Elliot is back at Sunderland and Jordan is back at Nottingham Forest and I’m sure they will be trying to impress in pre-season to try and get in their team.
“We’ll keep an eye on them, that’s for certain.”

 

 

The verdict It's going to be a really interesting summer for Blackpool. Life in the Championship awaits and so the focus for Neil Critchley is on ensuring that his team is ready for what will no doubt be a very difficult season. For the three players in question, this could be a great opportunity. Ellis Simms and Jordan Gabriel will face difficult tasks to break into their respective sides, while Elliot Embleton will surely be tempted by the chance to challenge himself at Championship level.