Ex-County centre-half progressing well after surgery
Fraser Horsfall, the former Stockport County defender who moved to Blackpool a year ago, is making steady headway in his recovery after end-of-season surgery. The Seasiders provided a wider fitness bulletin following their pre-season defeat at Tranmere Rovers, confirming that Horsfall’s rehabilitation remains on course with the new campaign approaching.
Blackpool were short of several senior figures for the 2-0 reverse at Prenton Park on Saturday, but the club says the defenders working back from operations – Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe – have encountered no fresh issues. There was also encouragement for supporters with an update on midfielder George Honeyman and centre-back Olly Casey.
Honeyman set to resume, Casey close behind
Honeyman, who left Millwall for Bloomfield Road last summer, came off in Blackpool’s opening friendly against AFC Fylde and did not feature against Tranmere. The club expects him to resume training early in the week and take part in minutes at Barrow, their next pre-season fixture. Casey, meanwhile, has been held back by a minor ankle problem but is now nearing involvement.
“Nothing (serious) - he’ll be back next week,” Blackpool boss Ian Evatt explained. “He’s had to miss a week, which is fine, but he’ll be available to train again from Monday, and will play some minutes at Barrow next week.”
On the broader picture, Evatt added that the trio making their way back – Casey, Horsfall and Ihiekwe – are tracking well against internal timescales following their end-of-season procedures, with the club hoping to see them on the grass during pre-season if progress holds.
“They’re progressing, all three of them,” he added. “Olly is doing great, and won’t be far off returning. Fraser (Horsfall) and Michael (Ihiekwe) are doing really well, there’s been no setbacks, so the plan is full steam ahead for the start of the season. We hope (they’ll get a game in pre-season).”
Why it matters in Stockport
Horsfall’s condition is one for County followers to note. The centre-half joined Blackpool from Edgeley Park 12 months ago and remains a familiar name to many here. With the Tangerines planning ahead to the opening weeks of 2026/27, the suggestion of a clean rehabilitation run is a positive sign for a player who established himself in SK3 before moving on.
For local supporters who like to keep tabs on former County men, the next milestones to watch are Blackpool’s friendly away at Barrow and their first competitive date of the term. If Horsfall continues on his current course alongside Ihiekwe, both could come into the selection conversation before long, while Casey’s ankle issue appears to be easing.
Upcoming fixtures and timelines
The Seasiders have mapped out a busy lead-in to competitive action. As it stands, the club anticipates having more options available as they build towards their EFL Cup first-round tie against Grimsby Town on 8 August. Honeyman is expected to rejoin the group imminently, with minutes pencilled in at Barrow this coming week.
| Player | Status | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| George Honeyman | Minor issue; missed Tranmere | Back in training early week; minutes at Barrow |
| Fraser Horsfall | Post-surgery rehab; progressing | Targeting involvement before start of season |
| Michael Ihiekwe | Post-surgery rehab; progressing | As above; hoping for pre-season game time |
| Olly Casey | Minor ankle issue; improving | Close to returning to action |
The state of play after Tranmere
Blackpool’s weekend outing at Tranmere ended in a 2-0 defeat, a reminder that pre-season sharpness can be uneven when key players are sidelined. The expectation that Honeyman will be back immediately should assist in restoring balance in midfield, while any step-up for Horsfall, Ihiekwe or Casey would strengthen the defensive unit as the calendar moves towards August.
- Horsfall and Ihiekwe: no reported setbacks following end-of-season surgeries.
- Honeyman: due to resume training and feature at Barrow.
- Casey: near a return after ankle trouble kept him out of the early friendlies.
With the clock ticking down to the Grimsby tie on 8 August, Blackpool’s medical and coaching teams appear aligned on returning players in stages, rather than rushing them back. From a Stockport perspective, Horsfall’s steady progress will be welcomed by those who watched him develop at Edgeley Park, even if his next competitive steps now come in tangerine rather than blue and white.
