On-loan midfielder Embleton a Tangerine dream for Critchley

BLACKPOOL manager Neil Critchley has been delighted with Elliot Embleton’s form since joining on loan from Sunderland.

The 21-year-old made a deadline-day switch to Bloomfield Road with Black Cats boss Lee Johnson happy for him to get more first-team action in the North West.

Blackpool are in excellent form in League One, beating Sunderland’s promotion rivals Peterborough 3-1 in midweek to hand the Wearsiders a potential advantage in the race for a top-two place.

But Critchley hasn’t been surprised by the impact Embleton has made in a more advanced No 10 role, after watching him playing in midfield at Sunderland.

“I know how good Elliot is and how good his qualities are, so I’m not surprised how well he has slotted into the side lately,” he said.

“I was quietly confident that he could play a big part for us and I think he’s proving what a good player he is.

“His last couple of performances have shown what he is about. Technically, he is very good, he links the play together well, he wants to score goals and he’s got a confidence and assurance about his play.

“He can create goals and is a goal threat, and between now and the end of the season I’m sure he’ll be a big player for us.”

Sunderland will play Blackpool twice in their last nine games, with the game at Bloomfield Road on April 17 followed by a return fixture at the Stadium of Light 10 days later.

However, Embleton will be ineligible to play against his parent club in those two matches.