Michael Appleton shares “call” he will have to make regarding Manchester City and Blackpool loan arrangement | OneFootball

Michael Appleton has admitted that he will have to “make a call” regarding the rest of Lewis Fiorini’s loan spell at Blackpool with the midfielder still out injured.

During a conversation with Lancs Live, the Seasiders boss laid out his expectation that the Manchester City graduate should be back available at the end of this month, after spending a large chunk of the campaign out injured.

The 20-year-old displayed excellent promise during the early stages of this second-tier campaign, starting the first four games for the Championship outfit.

Providing an update on the midfielder’s injury and his situation at Bloomfield Road, the Blackpool boss told Lancs Live: “Lewis looks like middle to the end of January, so not as bad as what was first feared initially. But that’s one that we’ve got to as it’s happening (transfer window) make a decision and make a call on it when he gets closer to fitness.”

Quiz: Can you name which club Blackpool FC signed these 22 players from?

1 of 22

Daniel Grimshaw?

Millwall Cardiff City Manchester City Everton

The verdict

Fiorini enjoyed a positive start to the campaign and his extended absence for the Seasiders has certainly been felt during the first half of the campaign.

Of course, it does come as somewhat of a boost that he is seemingly nearing a return, however, it could take him a few games to get back up to speed.

That begs the question of whether or not to cut his loan spell early and look to bring in someone else who is already at full fitness.

Appleton will be constantly assessing the options available to him during the January transfer window but there is unlikely to be many better options than the Manchester City man.