Blackpool vs Arsenal preview - Campbell back for Blackpool

Posted Sunday, April 10, 2011 by PA

Blackpool have DJ Campbell back for the with Arsenal at Bloomfield Road after the striker completed his three-match suspension.

Goalkeeper Matt Gilks, who was sidelined by a broken kneecap in November, has been playing for the reserves but Seasiders boss Ian Holloway does not feel the 28-year-old is ready yet for a return to first-team action.

David Carney misses out again with a shoulder injury, for which he is to undergo surgery.

Holloway has called upon Charlie Adam to maintain his form for the rest of the season to help keep Blackpool in the Barclays Premier League.

Adam has been included on the shortlist of nominees for the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award.

The Scotland midfielder has enjoyed a superb campaign so far, captaining a Seasiders team which has exceeded expectations following their promotion via the Championship play-offs last May.

With seven fixtures to play Blackpool are currently just a point and a place above the relegation zone, and Holloway wants Adam - who is widely expected to leave Bloomfield Road in the summer - to underline his status as one of the stars of 2010-11 by driving Blackpool on to survival.

"I've tried to say it all season, about how good I think he is," the manager said. "The reflection of it will be if we can stay up.

"All of us connected with Blackpool are all very proud of how we've tried to play and Charlie has got a lot of the plaudits because he hits the sensational pass to one of his team-mates, who normally does quite well with it.

"I have got a few more games left with him and he is still contracted for next year, so until anything changes in that, he has got to pull his socks up and keep us up."

Arsenal will hand England winger Theo Walcott (ankle) a late fitness test.

Full-back Bacary Sagna also has a knee problem and will be assessed ahead of the trip to Bloomfield Road, but Aaron Ramsey (groin) should return.

Denilson (toe) remains out, while defenders Johan Djourou (shoulder), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and keeper Wojciech Szczesny (finger) continue their rehabilitation.