Grayson's 12 new brave apostles
Last updated : 08 August 2008 By The Seasider
Blackpool have been given a last minute international clearance from the Spanish FA for David Vaughan the 25 year-old Welsh International and could make his debut against the Robins at Bloomfield Road in the opening game of the Championship season.
Pool secretary Matt Williams said on the official site "Both myself and the players agent have been in regular contact with Real Sociedad, the Spanish FA and the English FA to try and get clearance through for the game, when we received the call to say everything was ok and he was registered everyone was delighted."
Grayson can't wait for the season to start and claims his new squad is stronger than this time last year. Grayson has drafted 12 new new faces this summer, some of which will make their debut against City iat Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
"Every time you move on a season you want to get better, you want to keep improving and I feel we've done that with the squad we've got available at this time," he told Blackpool's official website.
"I think the overall view of the squad is stronger, a little bit more strength in depth, and thats not disrespectful to the players that have moved on."
Meanwhile his opposite number in the opening clash Gary Johnson has warned his players against complacency against the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road.
He told the club's official website: "They've brought in a new team almost so it's hard to predict how they will line up.
"We'll have to wait and see how quickly the new players gel, but there's always a lot of passion on opening day with everyone desperate to get three points."
Marvin Elliott, Scott Murray and Jordan Walker look doubtful and Gary Johnson may call up Cole Skuse to his squad in place of knee injury victim Elliott, while Murray has a broken wrist and Walker picked up a leg injury during pre-season.
Chris Weale could find himself between the sticks as last season's first choice keeper Adriano Basso has struggled with niggling injuries over the summer. Nicky Maynard a record signing for the Robins should start in attack, while fellow new boy Gavin Williams is also in contention to make his debut.