He has yet to play a competitive game for the Seasiders after joining them from QPR in the summer.

A hamstring problem stemming from his back has kept him out except for one brief appearance in a pre-season friendly.

But he has returned to training and is pencilled in for a comeback in the reserves next week, hoping to be in the Championship squad to face the Reds at Bloomfield Road a week on Saturday.

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said: "Nards will train for the rest of the week and hopefully next week he'll get some reserve team football."

Grayson could give a debut against the Reds to Alan Gow, the midfielder who was signed on a four-month loan from Rangers before this week's deadline.

The Seasiders were involved in several inquiries but regarded Gow as their No 1 target. The loan looks set to lead to a full transfer for the 25-year-old, for a fee of £250,000.

Grayson said: "I'm delighted we have got him and I think he will be a real asset to us.

"He is a very skilful footballer who can play anywhere in the midfield area.

"We beat off several other clubs and I think that shows how far we have come."

Barnsley are still hoping to get international clearance for Hugo Colace, in time for him to be available for the Blackpool trip, with the FA and FIFA involved the club's efforts to remove an apparent obstacle at the Argentinian end.

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