Bristol City's opening weekend opponents Blackpool are currently without 13 players with manager Neil Critchley playing down their chances of success at Ashton Gate a week on Saturday.
The Robins host the Tangerines on August 7 to kick off the 2021/22 Championship campaign in BS3 with Nigel Pearson keen to make an impact after a desperately poor end to the previous season.
Pearson insists he is confident with the status of his squad as Han-Noah Massengo, Antoine Semenyo and Robbie Cundy appear the only likely doubts for next weekend, although the former could feature against Aston Villa on Saturday.
In contrast, Blackpool have 13 players absent through either injury or due to the Covid outbreak in the squad, including defender Daniel Gretarsson (shoulder), midfielder Matty Virtue (ACL) and striker Gary Madine (groin).
Such are the gaps in his squad, and the Tangerines have made eight new signings this summer, Critchley is trying to dampen expectations as Blackpool prepare for their first Championship fixture since 2015.
“We’ve got to remember it’s a 46-game season. We lost our first game of the season last year against Plymouth and we got promoted," Critchley told the Blackpool Gazette.
"The first game is not the be-all and end-all. We want to be ready for it, of course, and we will be ready. But pre-season is there for you to practice the things you hope we are going to show in the games over the course of the season."
Blackpool have one remaining pre-season game against Morecambe on Saturday having lost 1-0 to Premier League Burnley on Wednesday and edged past League Two Carlisle United 1-0 last weekend.
