Blackpool's pre-season preparations continue - with Oxford United target among those pictured in action

The Seasiders squad reported back to Squires Gate last Thursday, a day after the fixtures for the 2024/25 League One campaign were released.

After initially being split into two groups, the first full team session took place on Saturday.

Dominic Thompson, Ryan Finnigan, Kylian Kouassi and Andy Lyons had all returned early as part of their recovery from injury.

A video shared by the club on Tangerine TV showed the progress being made by players and the work they were doing.

Meanwhile, Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel was also in attendance at the start of last week to be back around his teammates.

The wing-back is currently at the centre of transfer speculation, with Football Insider reporting that Oxford United have made a bid for the 25-year-old as they look to boost their squad following their promotion to the Championship.

Lawrence-Gabriel is under contract with the Seasiders until next summer, but his current deal does include a 12-month option as well.

Following a successful loan spell at Bloomfield Road, he made the permanent move from Nottingham Forest in 2021, and has gone on to make 105 appearances in Tangerine.

Elsewhere, Blackpool’s new signings have been among those in pre-season training.

Jordan Rhodes has returned to the club after a strong season on loan from Huddersfield Town last term, while Ashley Fletcher has joined on a free transfer following the conclusion of his contract with Oxford United.

Last Thursday, Zac Ashworth and the returning Hayden Coulson made the move to the Fylde Coast for undisclosed fees from West Brom and Middlesbrough respectively.

Both players took part in their first session at Squires Gate on Friday.

A Seasiders XI are in action this weekend against AFC Blackpool (K.O. 2pm), before the first-team take on AFC Fylde at Mill Farm on July 12 (K.O. 7pm).

Following a gap where the club’s pre-season trip to Spain is set to take place, they are back in action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against West Brom on July 23, before welcoming Sunderland to Bloomfield Road on July 27.

The pre-season programme is set to come to an end with away trips to Tranmere Rovers (July 30) and Crewe Alexandra (August 3), before their League One campaign gets underway against Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium on August 10 (K.O. 5.30pm).