Blackpool manager Simon Grayson has dismissed the possibility of Joe Nuttall leaving the club on loan during the current January transfer window.

Nuttall only joined the club from Blackburn during the summer for what was described as a substantial fee, and has so far struggled to make an impact at Bloomfield Road, scoring just three goals in 24 appearances in all competitions for the Seasiders, having started only seven league games in that time.

That has led to speculation that Nuttall could be set to leave Blackpool on a temporary basis this month, although it now appears that will not be happening.

Speaking about the prospect of a January exit for the striker, Grayson told the Blackpool Gazette: “Joe will be staying here because we’ve spent a lot of money on him and we still think there’s a player there.

“If I put a circular out tomorrow about Joe Nuttall’s availability, every club in League One would take him. That was the case in August when we signed him. Blackburn even had opportunities from Championship clubs as well.

Reflecting on Nuttall's season so far at Blackpool, and what he expects from him in the future, Grayson continued: “Has he had a run of games where he can really show his true potential? Probably not. But he has to do a little bit more to show people what he is capable of because I’ve got a huge amount of positivity about him. David Dunn (Pool’s former Blackburn coach) knows him a lot as well.

“Sometimes new players don’t settle in as well at a club as they would like to do, but he’s only 22 and this is his first spell of first-team football. 

“We think there’s a huge amount of potential that will be fulfilled by Joe.”

Nuttall signed a three-year contract with Blackpool when he joined the club back in August, securing his future at Bloomfield Road until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Verdict

I think this is the right decision from Grayson.

When you look at the opportunities Nuttall has had from the start in games this season, it could be argued that he still hasn't had the chance to make the impact both he and the club will have wanted.

As a result, sending him out on loan now while still so early in his time with the club, may only serve to knock his confidence and morale further, when it comes to how he feels he is seen around Bloomfield Road.

Keeping him at Blackpool therefore seems the smarter decision for now, and Nuttall did show during his brief cameos with Blackburn in the 2017/18 season that he can find the net at this level, meaning the goals may yet start to come sooner rather than later, something the Seasiders are not going to want to miss out on.