It may only be January but Blackpool are already staring at a real relegation six-pointer when Bristol City come to town on Saturday.

The Seasiders' defeat at promotion contenders Huddersfield left them three points short of the safety zone - and Bristol are the team immediately above them.

There are plenty of parallels between the two clubs - both hired rookie managers before the beginning of last season and have since fired them. But Bristol's big spending had them amongst the promotion favourites before the season and their struggle to get away from the drop zone has surprised observers.

Experienced former Yeovil boss, Gary Johnson - incidentally a former national team manager in Latvia - swooped to bring young Fulham defender, Liam Fontaine on loan, ironically just days after he had pulled out of a similar move to Blackpool.

Victory for the Seasiders would put them level on points with Bristol City with a game in hand - the consequences of a defeat don't bear thinking about.

With Ian Morris struggling with an achilles problem which has seen him taken off at half time in the last two games, Grayson may reshuffle his midfield, with Ciaran Donnelly and Rory Prendergast, who has returned from his loan spell at Halifax, fighting for a start.

One man who is unlikely to feature is defender Mark McGregor, who is set to sign for Port Vale before the weekend.