Thompson. While the squad were at their pre-season training camp in Portugal, Craig Sutherland suffered a knee injury that will put him out of action for twelve months. The first of Blackpool's three pre-season friendlies took place at Wrexham, managed by former 'Pool striker Andy Morrell, on 28 July. Goals from Kevin Phillips and new signing Scott Robertson gave the visitors a 2–1 victory. Recent departure Brett Ormerod started for Wrexham, while Morrell came on as a second-half substitute after being urged on by the visiting support. Season proper On 18 June, the Football League fixtures were published. Blackpool had four Lancashire-derby fixtures this campaign, with Blackburn Rovers having been relegated from the Premier League last season. They joined Burnley as Blackpool's rivals in the Red Rose County. Blackpool officially kicked off their season on 12 August, with a League Cup first-round fixture against Morecambe at Bloomfield Road. The first-ever competitive meeting between the two Fylde Coast clubs ended with victory for the visitors. The Shrimps took the lead inside six minutes via Lewis Alessandra. Andrew Fleming doubled their lead eleven minutes into the second half. Alex Baptiste scored what proved to be a consolation for the hosts with thirteen minutes remaining. On 14 August, Blackpool completed a trio of signings. Danish-Algerian striker Adda Djeziri, who had played under Ian Holloway at Leicester City, joined from Viborg. Spaniard Alberto Noguera, a midfielder, signed from Atlético Madrid, while fellow midfielder, Englishman James Caton, also put pen to paper. All three had been on trial with the club. On the eve of their first League game of the season, striker Nouha Dicko re-joined the club on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic, thus making the first-team squad total 38. The following day, a 2–0 victory at Millwall put Blackpool joint-top of the table with Burnley. Blackpool maintained their 100% start to the League campaign with a 2–1 win at home to Leeds United. Tom Lees put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute. The score remained the same until fifteen minutes from time, when Nouha Dicko opened his account for the season. Substitute Matt Phillips, reinstated to the matchday squad after submitting a transfer request at the weekend, netted the winner five minutes later. The win kept the Seasiders top of the table, two points clear of Sheffield Wednesday. On 23 August, Ivorian forward Anderson Banvo and Frenchman Brice Irie-Bi joined the