Blackpool issue crucial Elliot Embleton recall update ahead of play-offs and potential clash with Sunderland

The attacking midfielder joined the Seasiders on a half-season loan in January and has impressed at Bloomfield Road, playing a key part in the team’s fine run of form which has propelled them up the table.

And with a place in the top six now secured, Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has confirmed that Embleton will remain with his side for the duration of the play-offs.

“If we get Sunderland in the semi-finals he obviously wouldn’t be allowed to play, so that would rule him out of those games,” explained Critchley, speaking to the Blackpool Gazette.

“Saying that, he would still be eligible to play in the final if we were to get past Sunderland, and I know there’s a lot of ifs, buts and maybes in there.

“They can’t recall him, the agreement is until the end of the play-offs, the end of May or the first week of June I believe.

“I don’t think there’s any clause in that to say Sunderland would recall him before then. If we play Sunderland in the semi-finals, that would be different.

“I’ve locked him in a room twice this season on the day before we’ve played Sunderland. I don’t think I could lock him in the room for four or five days or whatever it is between the two semi-final games.

“That would be a little bit too much but he would be eligible for the final if we got there.”

When quizzed on Embleton’s situation ahead of a potential play-off campaign, Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson said: “He couldn’t come back and play for us.

"We couldn’t bring him back because once you get past March 22, then nobody who is not registered can be brought back in.

"If that was possible, then we’d probably think about it. Some clubs seem to make it possible, but not us.”

Sunderland also currently have striker Will Grigg and midfielder George Dobson out on loan at MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon respectively, and similar rules apply to that duo.

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