Seasiders swoop for Varney

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has strengthened his attacking options by signing Luke Varney on a season-long loan deal from Derby.

Varney, 27, could make his debut against Fulham on Saturday in the club's first Barclays Premier League home match at new-look Bloomfield Road. The striker has also worn the colours of Crewe, Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday.

Blackpool have the option of signing Varney on a permanent basis and Holloway said: "He is a great lad, he has got some pace and I think he'll play really well in a 4-3-3 formation."

Holloway believes he can revive Varney's career at the top level.

Holloway said: "I think he will just slot straight in to our system and hopefully I can get him going again.

"He is a fantastic lad off the field and even at Sheffield Wednesday last season he got 11 goals for them."

Holloway will stick to his principles on Saturday despite the 6-0 defeat by Arsenal last weekend.

He said: "It is about trying to find our feet at this level. But I am absolutely delighted to have a challenge like this.

"We want to keep producing something that is entertaining and people want to pay to see. If that means we don't win enough I don't really care.

"What I am trying to do is play a brand of football that is attractive and modern and maybe others aspire to."