The Blackpool verdict on Elliot Embleton that will encourage Sunderland fans

Embleton played a key role in Blackpool's 3-1 win over Peterborough United, a result that lifted Critchley's side into the play-off places.

The 21-year-old was able to back up a similarly impressive weekend display, as his team beat Oxford United 2-0 to underline their growing promotion ambitions.

Embleton was replaced in the 78th minute by Ethan Robson, but Critchley is hopeful that he has not suffered an injury.

“He said it was cramp, so I’m hoping it’s nothing too serious,” Critchley said.

He’s been excellent the last two games. He’s brought a calmness to our play and he knits the game together for you well.

“He’s very good technically, he’s intelligent and he keeps the ball for you which allows you to get up the pitch and control the game.

“Fingers crossed he’s okay and hopefully we haven’t got any more injuries.”

Embleton has now made eight appearances for Blackpool since his surprise deadline day switch, with four of those now being starts.

Head Coach Lee Johnson said at the time that it was Embleton's decision to try and secure more regular football.

"It was a bit of a catch-22 situation," he explaind

"I really like Elliot and he is a good young player for us, but when I sat down and worked out what we could do, sometimes having too big a squad can be difficult to manage.

"He’s an excellent player, one of the best trainers every day, and we would have definitely used him but he maybe wouldn’t have got the starts that he wanted or that he warranted or could have got somewhere else.

"By making it public that we are going to extend his contract by taking up the option shows that we believe in him....

"When you have someone who is ours who we believe in, if he is not going to get the minutes then he is better off continuing his progression – as he has at Grimsby in League Two before, and now in League One – and then he will hopefully be ready for us."

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