DJ ban means change of plan

The Seasiders' leading goalscorer with nine this season - plus one for Leicester before joining Blackpool at the end of August - is banned for the next three matches after being sent off in the 4-0 defeat at Wolves last week. With midfielder Charlie Adam also serving a suspension, it leaves Holloway without two of his best players this term and short of attacking options. Striker Marlon Harewood joined Championship side Barnsley at the weekend and the terms of his loan means he cannot be recalled for at least a month. That means Holloway is looking for someone to partner James Beattie up front, although he acknowledges he has no-one in his squad who is capable of replicating Campbell's influence. And Monday's visit of a rejuvenated Chelsea is not the best time to be experimenting with partnerships. "DJ had a moment of madness which he has apologised for but that is all about dealing with the adulation at this level," said Holloway of his striker's dismissal for pushing defender Richard Stearman in the face with both hands. "When we were 1-0 down and got kicked a little bit he responded the wrong way and he knows now he is going to miss three out of the last 10 games. "Such is life - but I have got to come up with something help my lads get close to and get above Chelsea. "We've got to do it without Charlie and DJ but that will give other people a chance to play. "Are they as good as those two? We don't know yet until I give them a chance. "But we are not the same team without DJ and Charlie Adam." Holloway is aware losing his leading goalscorer for nearly a third of Blackpool's remaining games could yet have an adverse affect on their season. The Seasiders are only four points above the relegation zone and after Chelsea they still have to face Arsenal and Manchester United. "Survival is still the target. We need at least two more wins and two more draws but it is an impossible question to answer as to how much we will miss DJ," added Holloway. "He is one our best players, is a sharp as a tack, and I don't believe he has ever been in the form he is in the minute and he's getting better every week. "Now he is going to have to sit on the side, he's our highest goalscorer and we can't have him when we need him the most. "I am going to have to play a different type because I've got no-one else like him. "He is electric with both feet, can move in and out of space, and we've lost that Jack in a box who can pop up and score anywhere. "Everyone talks about Jermain Defoe and what he does but have a look at DJ and see what he does." Holloway watched the reserves' 2-1 victory at home to Liverpool on Thursday, a game which featured first-teamers Stephen Crainey, Luke Varney, Matt Phillips and Sergei Kornilenko. The latter made a claim for inclusion on Monday, playing 90 minutes, winning a penalty for Blackpool's opener and then scoring the late second.