Stephen Dobbie has had a difficult start to life at Swansea City

Swansea City's out-of-favour striker Stephen Dobbie has completed a transfer deadline day loan switch to Championship rivals Blackpool.

The 27-year-old travelled to Bloomfield Road on Sunday and underwent a medical and agreed terms on Monday.

But Dobbie said: "This is only a loan deal and I intend to come back to Swansea next season to prove my worth."

Midfielders Leon Britton and Darren Pratley were linked with moves away but both are still at the Liberty Stadium.

Britton, who is out of contract in the summer, was linked with a move to Premier League Wigan while Nottingham Forest were apparently interested in Pratley - but both remain.

Dobbie, meanwhile, who had also been linked to Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen, has gone out on loan at Swans boss Paulo Sousa's request.

The Scotsman made just four league starts since his summer move from Scottish side Queen of the South.

"I've enjoyed my time so far in Swansea although I would have obviously like to have played more," said Dobbie.

"The fans have been fantastic with me. Unfortunately I've had a few injuries which means they have not seen the real me.

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"There were a few clubs in for me on loan, a couple in Scotland and England. But Blackpool appealed to me because I want to prove I can play in the Championship."

As part of the loan agreement, the former Rangers youngster is not permitted to play Swansea when the welsh club visit Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, 23 March.

And Swans chairman Huw Jenkins said: "I can't stress enough that this move is only a loan deal.

"Stephen is a valued member of our squad and our future. He needs games and will be back in the summer."

Dobbie was a free signing by Roberto Martinez just three weeks before the Spaniard left Swansea to take over at Premier League club Wigan Athletic.

He arrived at the Liberty Stadium with a record of 47 goals in 83 appearances for Queens in two year stint, but has struggled for games since his move to south Wales.

But his first-team hopes were dealt a further blow when Sousa signed Finnish international striker Shefki Kuqi for the Championship's lowest scorers in January.

And Sousa admitted last week: "It's not easy for a player who isn't playing, we encourage them to look at possibilities of playing and Stephen is one of them."

Dobbie led Swansea's front line at the start of the season and scored three goals in his first six games - all in the League Cup.

But he was sidelined by a rib injury sustained in the Carling Cup second round exit to Scunthorpe at the end of August.

Swansea saw off 10 other clubs last summer to clinch the free transfer of out-of-contract Dobbie and a number of teams are understood to be interested in taking him off their hands now.

Swansea, meanwhile, have released 21-year-old midfielder Scott Evans, the former Wales under-17 international, by mutual consent.

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