INJURY-RAVAGED Blackpool head to Port Vale this weekend, hoping to put their play-off bid back on track.

Boss Steve McMahon is desperately seeking reinforcements as injuries continue to keep out John Murphy and Keith Southern, as well as Leam Richardson.

With the likes of Richie Wellens, Danny Coid and Simon Grayson also picking up knocks or playing while not fully fit, McMahon is desperately seeking more new faces before the busy Christmas period, which also includes the game against Tranmere on Boxing Day, the visit to Wrexham on Christmas Sunday and, of course, the trip to Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup on January 3.

Simon Johnson was recruited last Saturday morning, just hours before the home defeat against Luton Town. The England under-21 ace showed some nice touches and had a couple of decent chances in his first game after joining from Leeds.

Luton's new boss, Mike Newell, enjoyed the trip to his old stomping ground on Saturday as his team snatched a rare away victory.

To add insult to injury for the Seasiders it was former Preston midfielder, Steve Robinson, who scored a spectacular winner.

His 30-yard shot caught a Blackpool foot and looped over Brad Jones, who had been drawn off his line, and into the net.

Blackpool almost equalised just three minutes later, when Steve Elliott headed a Richie Wellens free kick into the six yard box, where Mike Sheron's acrobatic volley hit the bar.

The home side came out all guns blazing after the break and could have had a penalty when Richie Wellens went down under a couple of heavy challenges.

As the heavens opened, Blackpool shuffled the pack, throwing former Luton defender, Steve Davis, on as an emergency striker, to limited effect.

McMahon has denied rumours that he will be unveiled as Crystal Palace's new manager this week. A national radio station set Seasiders fans into a panic when it reported that McMahon was in talks with Palace chairman, Simon Jordan, last Thursday night. However, the report has been rubbished.

There was good news on the transfer front on Monday when Derby agreed to allow Steve Elliott to extend his spell at Bloomfield Road. The defender will stay at the club for another month, but the Rams retain the right to recall the defender at 24 hours notice. Elliott has transformed the Seasiders' defence and become a firm favourite with the Seasiders fans since joining the club last month.

The news wasn't so good on Brad Jones, who returned to Middlesbrough this week after a useful month and a half on loan. Jones was recalled after an injury to Boro reserve keeper, Carlo Nash. With Phil Barnes injured, Lee Jones is Blackpool's only fit, senior keeper.