Blackpool vs Ipswich preview - Tough opener for Clark

New boss Lee Clark will be thrown into the deep end at Blackpool as he tries to reduce the seven-point deficit between the Seasiders and safety when Ipswich visit Bloomfield Road.

Clark was announced as Jose Riga's successor on Thursday just 10 days after parting ways with Birmingham who, like the Tangerines, are mired in the bottom three.

The new man at the helm will at least be able to call on captain Tony McMahon again after he served a one-match suspension against Reading in a 3-0 defeat which spelled the end for Riga.

Clark may have to negotiate a long injury list, though, with Jose Miguel Cubero, Joan Oriol (both ankle), Gary MacKenzie (knee) and Steven Davies (groin) all sidelined recently.

Ipswich will have Tyrone Mings back available after a one-game ban for picking up five bookings this season.

Jonny Williams also missed last week's home draw with Huddersfield after suffering a couple of knocks in the previous loss at Cardiff but is expected to return.

However, Kevin Bru will again be sidelined against the Seasiders due to a slight groin strain.

Full-back Jonathan Parr is another struggling for fitness after receiving treatment this week.