The length of Dale Taylor’s injury recovery has been revealed amid a crisis up front for Blackpool and Ian Evatt.
The Tangerines are in a tough spot right now when it comes to availability up front, with winger Tom Bloxham being used in the number nine position against Rotherham United last night.
While the switch was successful for the former Shrewsbury Town man against the Millers, Ian Evatt will have to navigate the coming weeks without his two first-choice forwards.
Taylor Joins Ennis On The Sidelines
In a big blow on what was otherwise a successful Boxing Day win over fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers, Dale Taylor was forced off after just six minutes at Bloomfield Road, joining strike partner Niall Ennis on the injury bench.
🗣️ “It looks like he’s done his metatarsal. Hopefully it’s just a straight fracture. All we can do is give him love and positivity because he’s had no luck at all. We’ll work to get him back as soon as we possibly can.”
We’re all with you @DaleTaylor92. 💪
🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/fLT0t6ebTQ
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) December 27, 2025
While the former Blackburn Rovers man is closing in on a return to full fitness, Taylor’s situation is much more bleak, with the Blackpool Gazette revealing that the ex-Wigan Athletic loanee has had to undergo surgery on his metatarsal.
Providing a new update about Taylor’s situation, Evatt explained his reasoning behind opting for surgery over other methods. He said:
“He’s had surgery today, it was good, it went fine. I feel for him. It was a clean fracture, but the surgery gives it a better chance of healing for the long-term, which is why we went down that route.
“Dale needs our support as a Tangerine family at the moment, we have to give him that. We’re looking at three months for him.”
Bloxham Steps Up
Speaking following last night’s win over Rotherham, Evatt was full of praise for Bloxham, who has infrequently filled in up front under both him and former manager Steve Bruce. He said to the Gazette:
“I’m not entirely happy with him at the moment because we’ve got no fit strikers and he’s doing back flips which isn’t helpful, but it was a good performance from him.
“I’m pleased he’s getting plaudits because it means he’s listening, learning and knuckling down.
“It’s not about where he is now, or what he’s done tonight, it’s about how much more improvement there is to come from him – I think a lot. He can still get better at every aspect of his game, and he needs that hunger and desire to do so.”
Should A Transfer Move Be Considered?
With Taylor now expected to miss a large chunk of the season and with injuries a common occurrence right now in the striking department, perhaps entering the transfer market for a new forward option could help with some of Blackpool’s issues.
There will certainly be options out there should Ian Evatt feel he needs to make an addition in the new year. One such example could be a loan for Macaulay Langstaff, who has struggled to make his mark in the Championship with Millwall across his 18 months there.
With Ennis and Taylor being a formidable pair when both fit, recruiting an emergency backup striker on a short-term contract could be more fitting, such as Bradford City‘s Andy Cook, as a January exit looms for the veteran.