Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has total faith in Matty Virtue

The 23-year-old played for 83 minutes on Saturday in Blackpool’s goalless draw at Accrington Stanley.

It was a first league start of the campaign for Virtue, who had come off the bench in the previous two games against Oxford United and Hull City.

Virtue, who fought well on a heavy Wham Stadium pitch, missed the opening three months of the season with a hamstring tendon injury.

Critchley said: “It was an extremely difficult game for Matty to come back into but I know the type of person he is and what he gives you on the pitch.

“Considering he’s not played in the league all season, and to put him in a game like this, it just shows you the trust and faith I’ve got in him. He was excellent.

“He tired a little bit but that’s understandable. All the players tired because the pitch was a factor in that.”

Dan Ballard was another player who returned from injury at the weekend to take his place in the Blackpool side, partnering Marvin Ekpiteta in the centre of defence.

The Arsenal loanee, who replaced the rested Daniel Gretarsson, had been missing for a couple of weeks after taking a knock to his hamstring following the 1-0 win against Portsmouth.

“I thought he was immense,” Critchley said. “He stepped back into the team after a few weeks away and I thought he was fantastic.

“He played like a real colossus at the back, with some of his heading from corners.

“I keep saying it – he’s a young man but he plays like an experienced pro out there.

“He was battling with two really good forwards in Dion Charles and Colby Bishop.

“They’re a real handful in this division but he dealt with that threat really well.

“Some of the headers he produced, I thought he was terrific.”

Blackpool had to do plenty of defending against Accrington on Saturday, facing a barrage of long balls, long throws and set pieces.

With the help of Gary Madine, who came back into the team alongside Jerry Yates in attack, Pool claimed a ninth clean sheet in 12 games.

“You have to take into consideration the threats they bring, they’re a big team. Set pieces are a big asset of theirs,” Critchley added.

“Gary is a big asset for us defending set-pieces and I thought him, Maxi (Chris Maxwell) and Danny Ballard got some great headers away from goal.

“Gary is a big asset for us in this type of game.”

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