Clarke could miss season Bloomfield Road, Blackpool Lancashire England

Clarke could miss season

Striker certain to be out until April with knee injury

Blackpool striker Billy Clarke may miss the club's entire Premier League campaign with a serious knee injury.

The 22-year-old ruptured a cruciate ligament two minutes into the club's first pre-season game against Tiverton Town and was initially thought to be out for three months.

On further inspection, however, the club's medical staff have ruled the Ireland Under-21 international out until at least April next year at the very earliest.

Manager Ian Holloway spoke of his disappointment to see the player, who suffered several niggling injuries last season, sidelined for such a lengthy spell.

"It might be the whole season now," he said.

Gutted

"He was looking so sharp in training and had done so much in the summer to try and get over the knocks he had last year.

"We're all gutted for him, absolutely gutted for him."

In a further blow for the Seasiders, forward Louis Almond has been ruled out

for up to three months with a dislocated shoulder and is set to undergo an operation.

It is the latest setback to Holloway's attacking options, with last season's play-off heroes Stephen Dobbie and DJ Campbell having both returned to their respective parent clubs from loan spells.

Former Everton striker Francis Jeffers has been on trial at the club as Holloway looks to build a side capable of staying in the top flight.