Blackpool striker Billy Clarke could miss entire Premier League campaign with injury

Holloway 'gutted' for forward...

26 Jul 2010 19:00:00

By George Watts

More On :  Blackpool, Billy Clarke
Ian Holloway,Blackpool manager,(Getty Images)

Blackpool striker Billy Clarke looks set to miss the whole of the Premier League season after sustaining a knee injury in a pre season friendly.

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Clarke, 22, ruptured a cruciate ligament during Blackpool’s first pre-season match against Tiverton Town on July 16.

The initial prognosis was that Clarke, formally of Ipswich Town, would be sidelined for just three months. However, the problem is worse than expected and Clarke has now undergone surgery.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway could not hide his disappointment after struggling to come to terms with the injury to his striker.

“We’re all gutted for him, absolutely gutted for him,” Holloway told the club's official website.

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

The injury to Clarke may force Holloway's hand, leading him into making a move for Manchester United striker Danny Wellbeck, who is believed to be available on loan.

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