BLACKPOOL'S bid to beat the dreaded drop has been dealt two severe blows.

And Steve McMahon has revealed he would swap the club's current situation for a one match decider at the end of the season.

First is the news that Phil Clarkson is out for Pool's all important six game run in.

The Tangerine's midfield workhorse broke his leg in training a day before one of his favourite fixtures of the year -- the North End derby.

Clarkson is usually on top form for the game and is often a major cause for concern for the old enemy, often cropping up to score.

But Bloomfield Road bosses didn't reveal details of Clarkson's injury before the clash on Saturday (April 1), opting to keep it quiet.

Clarkson should be back in full training by the start of the next season -- but whether that will be as a Division Two or Three player remains to be seen.

The other blow to Blackpool's battle was Cambridge United's superb 3-0 win over Bury midweek.

Cambridge climbed out of the relegation zone with their win, leaving the Seasiders five points adrift and second from bottom. Despite the bad news, Steve McMahon still believes the Seasiders can win. He said: "The performance against Preston was a creditable one.

"We have drawn against three of the top sides in the Division.

"In the middle of the season, that would have been an excellent result. But we need wins.

"The players worked hard and if I'd been here a couple of months earlier, I don't think we would have been in this situation.

"I would take it now if we could go to a match at the end of the season that meant we'd stay up if we won. I would take that now."

The Tangerines' task is now simple -- they must win the remainder of their games to be in with a chance of beating the drop.

The side that travels to Essex for the match against Colchester United will be boosted by two prominent players.

John Hills is fit for action after suffering with hamstring problems and Kevin Richardson, who needed ten stitches in his head following a clash with Rob Edwards on Saturday, has also returned to full training and is available for selection.

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