Blackpool trio closing in on injury return

Kelvin Mellor, Mark Cullen and Jim McAlister are all edging closer to fitness for Blackpool.

None of the trio will be fit for Friday’s League One clash with Doncaster but all could feature for the Seasiders before the end of the season.

It had been thought Mellor would miss the rest of the campaign after suffering ankle ligament damage last month but the defender returned to training this week and is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Cullen (hamstring) and McAlister (severe bruising) are both returning from long-term injuries and will not be rushed.

Doncaster could welcome back defenders Andy Butler and Andy Boyle following injury.

Boyle, who has been out for five weeks with a groin strain, is the likelier of the two to return, with Butler sidelined for more than two months by a knee problem.

Striker Alfie Beestin impressed off the bench against Bradford last time out on his return from an ankle injury and will hope to return to the starting line-up.

On-loan Burnley defender Tom Anderson (fractured cheekbone) and full-back Danny Andrew (knee) remain sidelined.