Bouazza Blow For Blackpool

Just when it looked like DJ Campbell and Hameur Bouazza were beginning to link up well, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway's plans for the rest of the season have received a major setback with the news that Bouazza may miss the rest of the season through injury.

The cult winger picked up a groin injury when at the African Nations Cup and will be rested until at least the end of this month.

Normally Bouazza would undergo an operation for this kind of injury, but with the player desperate to make it to South Africa this summer for the World Cup, the club have agreed to hold off on any surgery until pre-season.

Surgery of this type normally involves a six week rehabilitation period, meaning that it could very well be touch and go whether Bouazza is available for the start of next season - it would all depend on when he returns from the World Cup.

Speaking to the assembled media about Bouazza after Saturday's win over Ipswich, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said:

'He hasn't been the same since he came back from the African Cup of Nations because he has sore groins.

'We gave him an injection after he returned and he's had another injection since.

'But when the problem comes back as painful as it did within the space of time that it did, it normally means they might need an operation - and that is what's happened with Hameur.'

In other injury news for the Seasiders, striker Daniel Nardiello, on loan at Oldham, was stretchered off on his Latics debut last night with a suspected hamstring injury.

In better news for the Seasiders, both Cardiff and Sheffield United lost last night as the playoff race hots up.

Finally, young goalkeeper Mark Halstead has joined Hyde United on a month's loan and made his debut in last night's 2-1 defeat to Gainsborough Trinity.

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