Blackpool have cancelled their pre-season trip to Spain to concentrate on player recruitment having been left with only eight contracted professionals after 27 players left the club this summer.

José Riga’s team were set to play two fixtures during the warm-weather camp, but the manager will now spend that time aiming to complete transfers.

“The manager has taken the decision – and I agree with the decision – to cancel the pre-season tour so that our time is better served to try to get some of the player deals that we’ve been trying to get over the line for some time across the line,” Karl Oyston said.

The Blackpool chairman added: “Our time will be far better spent preparing here than going over to Spain. I’ve spoken with the chairman of the supporters’ association, as I do with most things, about the decision because certain people no doubt booked to go across and follow the two games. We’ll look to fairly deal with that issue.”

Blackpool have no goalkeepers on their books with only the defenders Gary MacKenzie, Tony McMahon and Charles Dunne, the midfielder David Perkins and the forwards Steven Davies, Bobby Grant, Sergei Zenjov and Tom Barkhuizen listed on the club’s website.

The Seasiders were due to face La Liga side Granada on Saturday 26 July, before taking on Murcia-based team Cartagena two days later.

Blackpool begin the Championship season on 9 August against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Riga was appointed Blackpool manager in June on a one-year rolling deal. The club finished 20th last season, two points above the Championship’s bottom three.