EXPERIENCED former Burnley defender, Mark McGregor, is the latest new name at Bloomfield Road after putting pen to paper on a one-year contract.
McGregor, who can play right back or central midfield, but who has spent most of his career as a central defender, has featured in all of the Seasiders' pre-season fixtures while on trial.
Another new face at Bloomfield Road this week is former Barnsley midfielder, Dean Gorre. Gorre has joined on a trial spell after being released by Barnsley at the end of last season.
The 33-year-old has a CV which is probably unique in Seasiders history. Having won Dutch championships with Feyenoord and Ajax, scoring in the Champions League for the latter, Gorre moved to Yorkshire, first with Huddersfield and later with the Tykes, for whom he impressed against Blackpool last year.
Gorre, who can play in central midfield or on the left, would provide some of the creativity Blackpool so desperately lack when Richie Wellens is unavailable, but Hendry has yet to make a decision on whether to offer the veteran a contract. Another player with higher division experience, former Aston Villa, Everton and Bolton midfielder, Gareth Farrelly, is also training with Blackpool in Lytham. The Republic of Ireland international missed out on a contract after a three-week trial at Millwall.
The Seasiders played Hendry's homeland last night (Wednesday), with a tangerines against tangerines clash against Dundee United at Tannadice Park, which saw Blackpool run out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Keigan Parker and John Murphy.
Hendry tasted his first defeat as Blackpool boss on Saturday, when an under-strength Blackpool squad went down to third division Darlington at the New Stadium.
An experimental side, which featured Simon Grayson and Stephen McMahon in midfield and starts for teenagers, Jamie Burns, Phil Doughty and Matthew Blinkhorn, as well as Rangers keeper, Allan McGregor, held its own for the first half, but fell to two goals from triallists after the break.
The goalkeeping position will be next on Hendry's agenda, with Notts County's Steve Mildenhall now seemingly out of the equation. The 6ft 5in keeper played under Hendry's assistant, Billy Dearden, at Meadow Lane, and was set to leave County after being asked to take a pay cut, but he is now set to stay. Rangers' McGregor is the other main contender, with Ross Turnbull now back at Middlesborough and Aussie Paul Henderson seeking a contract at Bradford City.
Ticket details have been announced for Blackpool's first two games of the season. Just 241 stand tickets have been allocated for the game at Doncaster a week on Saturday, however the away terrace has a capacity of more than 2,000, so fans who want to stand can pay on the day. Blackpool's first home game against Sheffield Wednesday on August 10 is all ticket, with no tickets to be sold on the day of the game.
Former Blackpool skipper, Micky Mellon, is set to stay in league football with Kidderminster Harriers. The midfielder had been expected to join Fleetwood Town, but has been on trial with Jan Molby's side. Another former Seasider who was linked with Fleetwood, Jamie Murphy, will join Lancaster City instead.
Mike Sheron's move to Chester appears to have fallen through, though another former Seasiders striker has found himself a third division club. Richard Walker will link up with ex Bloomfield Road team-mate, Steve Elliott, at Bristol Rovers.
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