Portsmouth are interested in signing former Blackpool striker David Varney. Varney struggled to settle at Pride Park after arriving from Charlton on a permanent basis in 2009, but revitalised his career in a loan spell at Blackpool last season.

The 28-year-old scored five goals in 30 league games for the Seasiders as they were relegated on the final day of the season back to the Championship.

Varney's impact at Bloomfield Road has seen him become sought after by several clubs, with the player himself admitting he would relish a return to Blackpool.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has said that they can avoid relegation this season, despite their poor form, according to the Free Bets website.

Holloway’s men have an impressive record against the sides they face in their battle to remain in the English Premier League, including Saturday’s visitors Wigan, who they beat 4-0 on the opening day.

“Over the last 18 points we have got to fight for, we have already got 13 points from corresponding fixtures earlier in the season,” Holloway said.

Blackpool are regretting the red card that DJ Campbell has got, which has put their survival chances in doubt. Campbell is banned for three games, starting with Monday's fixture against Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea.

"He's scored a lot of goals for us this season so he'll be a great loss," Eardley told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We're already missing Charlie [Adam - Blackpool captain] through suspension, so the other lads need to step up."

Blackpool striker DJ Campbell has made an apology for the red card he got against Wolves on Saturday.

With the Seasiders trailing 1-0 at Molineux, Campbell uncharacteristically lashed out at Richard Stearman, pushing the Wolves defender in the face.

The Tangerines forward was shown a straight red card and his side went on to lose 4-0 in the relegation clash.

To add to Ian Holloway’s troubles, Campbell will now start a three-match ban at a crucial time in the season.

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has drawn a line over his public spat with Blackpool. Houllier and Holloway were involved in several verbal exchanges after Villa tried to buy Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam during the January transfer window and had two bids rejected.

Holloway claimed he was unhappy Villa had made their interest in Adam public while Houllier insisted the West Midlands club did everything through the right channels. But Houllier is now more concerned at trying to win against the Seasiders, who he predicts will avoid relegation this season.

Blackpool have been fined by the football association to the tune of £ 25,000. The Seasiders boss made 10 changes to the side that drew 2-2 against Everton at Bloomfield Road the Saturday before.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway had threatened to resign if the club were fined, later saying: "I'm the manager and I manage the players how I want."

The Seasiders have 14 days to decide whether to appeal against the fine.

Ian Holloway has defended his team selection for the FA cup that resulted in the team's elimination from the competition. "I'm delighted with my team and delighted with my club," said Holloway.

"To come to a place like this and make a game of it when I've had to pick that team because of the competition we are in week in, week out.

"I've tried to do things right for my club, and it's well done to Southampton," added the Blackpool boss.

Sunderland lost to Blackpool at home, despite having a great record at home. Asamoah Gyan, Darren Bent and Danny Welbeck all squandered good openings and visiting goalkeeper Richard Kingson made a number of excellent stops.

But Campbell shot home from Ian Evatt's headed flick to make it 1-0.

Bent hit the bar with a fine free-kick but Campbell added a second in injury time from Matt Phillips's low cross.

But Sunderland will be left scratching their heads at the result after creating enough chances to have won two games in a refreshingly open and frantic first period.

DJ Campbell scored an important goal to help Blackpool record a victory over Stoke city. The striker struck shortly after half-time to hand Ian Holloway's side all three points at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke had the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes, with Ricardo Fuller crashing a dipping effort from 25 yards off the crossbar at one stage.

They started the second period sluggishly, though, and were punished when Campbell pounced to prod home from close range following good work by Luke Varney and Charlie Adam.

Richard Kingson says that he is interested in the Blackpool number one spot for goalkeepers. After joining the club in September, Kingson's chance arose after Gilks broke his kneecap on 13 November.

"Firstly, I wish Matthew a speedy recovery as we are all a family here," Kingson, 32, told BBC Sport.

"But it's perhaps the time for me to play and if I do well, maybe I'll become number one."

Since arriving in England three years ago, the goalkeeper who stood out at both this year's African Cup of Nations and World Cup has found his chances limited.