Michael Appleton issues transfer update after Blackpool's FA Cup win against Nottingham Forest

And welcome to today’s live blog.

It’s a break from the Championship campaign this afternoon as the Seasiders take on Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup.

As usual, you can follow our blog for build-up, team news, live match updates and post-match reaction.

Blackpool take a break from their Championship campaign this weekend as their attention switches to the third round of the FA Cup.

Michael Appleton’s side take on Premier League opposition in Nottingham Forest looking to get back to winning ways.

It’s been a difficult few months in the league for the Seasiders, who are without a win in their last nine games.

They take on a Forest side that have climbed out of the Premier League’s bottom three in recent days after taking four points out of their last two games.

Steve Cooper’s side are now 15th, two points clear of the dropzone.

Championship official James Linington will take charge of the game. He’s overseen 19 fixtures so far this season, dishing out 79 yellow cards and two reds.

He last refereed a Blackpool game last season when he oversaw the 3-1 home win against Bristol City in February.

New signing Morgan Rogers is available to make his debut after signing on loan from Manchester City. However, the returning Josh Bowler is ineligible to face his parent club.

Callum Connolly serves a one-match suspension, meaning Andy Lyons (above) is likely to make his debut at right-back.

Luke Garbutt, Jordan Gabriel, Liam Bridcutt, Kevin Stewart, Lewis Fiorini and Keshi Anderson all remain sidelined by injury.

Assistant manager David Kerslake also revealed one or two players are nursing knocks that will have to be assessed ahead of kick-off.

Assistant manager David Kerslake was on press duties with Michael Appleton tending to a family matter.

Kerslake said: “They’re a high quality team. They’ve struggled a bit but recently they’ve picked up, so they’re in a good place.

“If you play in the Premier League, you’re going to be more than decent. Physically they’re fantastic so we’re going to have our work cut out, but we will try and take the game to them.

“They have fantastic athleticism, we very much think they will be strong on the transition because they’ve got a couple of flyers there.

“They look to pass the ball forward early. It’s not a punt forward but they will look to break lines and their strikers and wide players will be looking to get in behind.

“It’s going to be a real tough game.”

“They’re competing in the Championship and we know all about that and what it takes,” Forest boss Steve Cooper said.

“At this time of year with the pitches, the weather and all that sort of stuff it’s probably a classic FA Cup environment as you can get and we have to look forward to that.

“We’re a proud, historic club in England and we have to represent the FA Cup well and what it stands for.

“We go there with real positivity and a real intention to do well knowing it’s going to be tough, as FA Cup ties always are.

“There are some things we can’t take for granted and will go against both our plan and Blackpool’s plan, but that’s the FA Cup for you.

“We look forward to it.”

Michael Appleton could hand out a couple of debuts for Blackpool’s FA Cup third round tie against Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

The Seasiders are sweating over the fitness of one or two players according to assistant David Kerslake, knocks that will be assessed overnight before a decision is made on their availability.

While Kerslake didn’t reveal the identities of the players in question, he did say the Seasiders will look to name a strong a side as possible.

Elsewhere, Callum Connolly misses out through suspension while Josh Bowler is ineligible to face his parent club – but there are a couple of others who could get their first taste of playing in tangerine.

Here’s our predicted line-up...

Blackpool 10/3

Nottingham Forest 8/11

Draw 29/10

Odds according to Betfair.

Blackpool have made two changes to their side for today’s FA Cup third round tie against Nottingham Forest.

Andy Lyons is handed his Blackpool debut at right-back in place of Callum Connolly, who serves his one-match suspension.

Elsewhere, Jake Beesley is brought into the side to replace Gary Madine, who is missing from the squad altogether.

It’s not currently known why the 32-year-old is absent, but assistant manager David Kerslake did reveal one or two players had picked up knocks during training.

Elsewhere, the Seasiders are otherwise unchanged from their 1-1 draw against Sunderland on New Year’s Day.

January loan signing Morgan Rogers starts on the bench where he’s joined by top goalscorer Jerry Yates.

Luke Garbutt, Jordan Gabriel, Liam Bridcutt, Kevin Stewart, Lewis Fiorini and Keshi Anderson are all out injured.

Forest have changed their whole side from the 1-0 Premier League win at Southampton, making 11 changes.