Pool aim to avoid Adam distraction, United can open five-point gap
Manchester United will look to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League as they visit Blackpool on Tuesday night.
United remained two points clear of Arsenal as they won 5-0 at home to Birmingham on Saturday.
But the Red Devils have games in hand on their title rivals and victory in their rearranged game at Blackpool will open up a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League.
The hosts' preparations have been disrupted by speculation over the future of captain Charlie Adam.
Aston Villa and Birmingham already had bids for Adam turned down before Liverpool lodged a £4.5million offer for the Scottish midfielder, leading to him handing in a transfer request.
That has been rejected by the club, with the Seasiders holding out for a much larger fee for their prized asset, but Adam is set to remain captain for the visit of United.
While Blackpool have defied the odds to sit six points clear of the drop zone in their first Premier League season, they have only won three of their nine home games and are yet to keep a clean sheet at Bloomfield Road.
Sunderland inflicted the Tangerines' fourth home defeat on Saturday but Ian Holloway's men will look to their 2-1 victory over Liverpool in their previous home game for inspiration.
United are still unbeaten in the Premier League heading into their first top-flight meeting with Blackpool since 1963.
United remained two points clear of Arsenal as they won 5-0 at home to Birmingham on Saturday.
But the Red Devils have games in hand on their title rivals and victory in their rearranged game at Blackpool will open up a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League.
The hosts' preparations have been disrupted by speculation over the future of captain Charlie Adam.
Aston Villa and Birmingham already had bids for Adam turned down before Liverpool lodged a £4.5million offer for the Scottish midfielder, leading to him handing in a transfer request.
That has been rejected by the club, with the Seasiders holding out for a much larger fee for their prized asset, but Adam is set to remain captain for the visit of United.
While Blackpool have defied the odds to sit six points clear of the drop zone in their first Premier League season, they have only won three of their nine home games and are yet to keep a clean sheet at Bloomfield Road.
Sunderland inflicted the Tangerines' fourth home defeat on Saturday but Ian Holloway's men will look to their 2-1 victory over Liverpool in their previous home game for inspiration.
United are still unbeaten in the Premier League heading into their first top-flight meeting with Blackpool since 1963.
Team news
Blackpool boss Holloway has a problem at left-back as Stephen Crainey has been ruled out with an ankle injury from Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Sunderland.
With David Carney still on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup, Alex Baptiste is set to fill in on the left side of the Pool defence.
Goalkeeper Richard Kingson has been cleared to play after requiring stitches in a head wound he suffered against Sunderland, while DJ Campbell has recovered from a bout of food poisoning that ruled him out on Saturday.
Marlon Harewood returned from a hamstring injury off the bench on Saturday and is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.
Brazilian full-back Rafael is available again for United after serving a one-match ban for the red card he was shown during the 0-0 draw at Tottenham.
Sir Alex Ferguson must therefore decide whether to offer Rafael an instant recall or stick with John O'Shea.
Rio Ferdinand (groin) and Michael Carrick (ankle) are both doubts, but Ryan Giggs has already been promised a place for the Red Devils' first meeting with Pool since 1975.
Possible starting XIs
Blackpool: Kingson, Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Baptiste, Vaughan, Adam, Phillips, Taylor-Fletcher, Varney, Campbell.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Smalling, Evra, Gibson, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov.
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