Brett Pitman

CHAMPIONSHIP club Blackpool are believed to be ready to join the race to sign Jerseyman Brett Pitman from AFC Bournemouth.

Pitman scored his 15th goal of the season on Saturday in Bournemouth’s 2-1 League Two home defeat by Bury, the strike taking the Old Victorian to 17th position in the Cherries’ all-time record league goal scorers.

Pitman, a candidate for the Sportingbet Sports Personality of the Year award, has been in fine form this season and his goals have been instrumental in helping Bournemouth into second place in the division as they look to gain promotion despite a ban on buying players because of their recent financial difficulties.

Sources close to Bournemouth’s Daily Echo claim Blackpool have been trailing Pitman since before Christmas and could be preparing to table a transfer-window bid.

Tangerines’ manager Ian Holloway has been given permission to add to bolster his squad this month with Blackpool just two points adrift of the Championship play-off zone.