Oxford United v Blackpool RECAP: Updates from League One play-off semi-final first leg

Around 4,000 Oxford fans will return to the Kassam Stadium for tonight’s semi-final first leg.

It comes after Step 3 of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown went ahead as planned yesterday, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would be “unlocking the turnstiles”.

It also means a similar number of Blackpool fans will attend Friday night’s decisive second leg at Bloomfield Road, which promises to be a special occasion.

Tonight will be the first time Pool will have played in front of supporters since December, when 1,000 fans attended Shrewsbury’s pilot event. The same number of supporters also attended a test event at Bloomfield Road against Swindon Town back in September.

Will the return of fans make a noticeable difference? We’ll soon find out...

Neil Critchley is hopeful that Ethan Robson, Grant Ward and Sullay Kaikai can all play some part in Blackpool’s upcoming semi-final ties.

Robson suffered a groin injury during the win against Northampton Town, while Kaikai (above), picked up a hamstring strain in the win against Sunderland. Ward also limped off at the Stadium of Light with a calf injury.

Elsewhere, Daniel Gretarsson will play no part in the play-offs after Critchley revealed the defender will undergo an operation on his shoulder, which he dislocated in April.

It’s hoped Gary Madine will remain in contention after making his long-awaited return from injury off the bench against Bristol Rovers on the final day. The 30-year-old had previously been sidelined for almost four months with a niggling groin injury.

Elsewhere, Matty Virtue and CJ Hamilton both miss out through injury, while Bez Lubala remains unavailable due to a ‘club matter’.

Well here we are, the big game is finally upon us.

Blackpool make the trip to the Kassam Stadium to take on Oxford United in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.

The Seasiders ended the season in fine form, winning their last four games on the spin without conceding to finish in third place in the table.

Oxford, meanwhile, snatched the final play-off spot on the final day, thrashing Burton Albion 4-0 to leapfrog Portsmouth into sixth place.

Karl Robinson’s men are in superb form themselves, winning six of their last seven and scoring 24 goals along the way. But Blackpool claimed four points during their two games against the U’s during the regular campaign, without conceding a goal.

Neil Critchley’s side will be aiming to gain a lead to take into Friday’s decisive second leg at Bloomfield Road.

And welcome to our live blog, where we’ll bring you all the build-up, team news and updates from the first leg of Blackpool’s League One play-off semi-final against Oxford United.

Follow the blog for regular updates throughout the evening.