League One Blackpool are set to send defender Zac Ashworth on loan to SPFL side Ross County, according to reports.
The 22-year-old left back linked up with the Seasiders in the summer transfer window from Championship side West Bromwich Albion. He has struggled to make any impact so far, only appearing 13 times across all competitions with one league start.
Ashworth has also had previous loan spells at Burton Albion and Bolton Wanderers making 23 and 18 appearances for the club’s respectively.
Now, according to Alan Nixon, he is set to move north of the border to gain vital game time at Ross County.
Bruce’s Blackpool
Steve Bruce took over the club mid-way through the season after former promotion winning manager Neil Critchley’s departure. He has improved their form slightly, earning seven wins and seven draws with only four defeats in League One.
However, his side are now five league games without a win and will be looking to the January transfer window as a good opportunity to improve their squad.
Steve Bruce has a contact list the envy of most managers in the league and with links to a whole host of players it looks as though he is willing to use it.
They currently occupy 16th, 11 points off the play-offs and 10 points above the relegation zone, meaning this second half of the season is a free hit for the experienced manager. With the pressure off, and a transfer window behind him we may be about to see what Steve Bruce can really do with this Blackpool side.
Scottish Loan
For Ashworth this season is a chance to regain some of his confidence and build up fitness. There is nothing worse for a young player than being in and out of a team playing small cameo roles.
He will have the opportunity to play against some excellent players and managers in the Scottish top flight and really test himself ahead of a return to the League One club at the end of his loan.