Kingson pushes Blackpool case

Wigan cast off Richard Kingson will stake his claim for a regular place in the Blackpool goal as he prepares to face Wolves on Saturday.

Kingson was only third-choice goalkeeper at English Premier League rivals Wigan last season, and his contract was not renewed despite his fine displays for Ghana in the World Cup.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway allowed Kingson – whose resume also includes a short stint at Birmingham City – to train with his squad during the close season and was so impressed with what he saw that offered him a deal.

Now Kingson will try and repay that trust after coming on at half-time for the injured Matt Gilks at West Ham on Saturday and making one tremendous save to ensure the Seasiders claimed a point.

He also played in the previous game at Aston Villa, when Holloway controversially made ten changes to his team.

Blackpool defender Ian Evatt said: “With Gilksy out until the New Year, Richard has the chance to make the spot his own. He is great to train with and his music choice in the dressing room is fantastic.”

Holloway has recalled highly-rated young shot-stopper Mark Halstead from loan at non-league outfit Barrow as cover for Kingson, with American Paul Rachubka not fully match fit.

Blackpool captain Charlie Adam has brushed away fears that he may not face Wolves.

Adam came off injured in Scotland’s game against the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.

But the midfielder said: “My knee is a wee sore and stiff but I should be OK for Saturday.”

“We are preparing well and owe our fans a home victory.”

Manager Holloway has spoken out about midweek international friendlies as fixtures ‘that don’t count for anything’ and he feared the worst when Adam was replaced while with Scotland.

Holloway is likely to have an interesting word with the Wolves management team after commenting on the 25,000 pound fine the Midlands club were handed last season for fielding a much-changed side against Manchester United.

He claimed Mick McCarthy said it was a match they felt they never had a chance of winning, but had to apologise after McCarthy made it clear he had said nothing of the sort.

Holloway faces the same accusation for his team selection against Aston Villa last week, but striker Luke Varney jumped to his manager’s defence, stating: “The boss was getting a load of flak and we were right behind him.”

“He said he wanted to give all his squad a chance to prove themselves. The criticism he got just spurred the players on. There are not two groups of players at this club – it is one.”

“There was nothing to choose between the side which played at Villa and the one which played at West Ham.”