The Football League Paper

Blyth spirit just what Pool need

- By Joshua Richards

LOANEE striker Jacob Blyth is hoping he can fire Blackpool to League One safety.

The 23-year-old this week joined the Seasiders on loan until the end of the season from Premier League leaders Leicester City.

Blyth scored five times last season while on loan at Burton Albion and netted once for Cam- MK DONS manager Karl Robinson is relieved Burnley boss Sean Dyche has allowed him to take defender Kevin Long on an emergency loan deal until the end of the season.

Robinson lost centre-back Kyle McFadzean to a threematch suspension after his red card last time out in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

He is also still without injured defensive pair Joe Walsh and Matt Upson.

So, the Dons’ defensive ranks were bolstered this week by the arrival of 25year-old Long from leaders Burnley.

Long can play at centre- or full-back and has made 105 career appearance­s, including 27 for his parent club, while earlier this season he scored two goals while on loan at Barnsley.

And, with MK Dons still in the Championsh­ip relegation zone, Robinson is delighted to have Long to call on until the end of the campaign.

“We saw him play for Barnsley this season and he was exceptiona­l in the games we watched,” Robinson said.

“Kevin ticks a number of boxes for us. He’s a wonderful size and he’s good on the ball.

“I told him he’s got to come here and fight for his place.

“He could have gone to three other sides, where he would have been guaranteed bridge United earlier this campaign.

He is hoping to have a similar effect for Neil McDonald’s side.

He said:“I had no qualms about joining a relegation fight.

“Blackpool shouldn`t be in a relegation fight in this league, so I want to get them as high up the table as possible.” a start, but he said he wants to come here and fight for a place. He wants to come for the right reasons.

“It’s key that we bring in players with the right mentality, given our position.

“I want to thank Sean Dyche for allowing us to have him. Sean raved about his mentality.

“He’ll defence.

“Kyle is suspended for three games and is one booking away from another three-match ban, while Joe Walsh and Matty Upson are coming back from injury.

“It’s a position in which we didn’t want to leave ourselves short going into these final games.”

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th HOUGH ABOUT THAT? Plymouth’s Jordan Houghton celebrates with Jake Jervis after scoring their first goal, inset
PICTURES: Action Images IMPORTANT: Kevin Long STAR MAN JAMILL E MATT Plymou th HOUGH ABOUT THAT? Plymouth’s Jordan Houghton celebrates with Jake Jervis after scoring their first goal, inset
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