HE'S Blackpool's real-life Tower, the David Beckham of Latvia, and he's out to stop Ipswich Town gaining their first away league victory of the season tomorrow.

Mike Bacon

HE'S Blackpool's real-life Tower, the David Beckham of Latvia, and he's out to stop Ipswich Town gaining their first away league victory of the season tomorrow.

Kaspars Gorkss, 26, may not be a household name in these parts, but on the seaside coast in north-west England, the Latvian international has his own huge army of fans.

And while to the Tangerine faithful he's “Gorks”, the mild-mannered colossus, more reliable than a Blackpool tram - to Alan Lee, Pablo Counago and Co he's the 6ft 3in, 13-and-a-half-stone giant who is determined to stop them getting a sniff of a goal.

Blackpool Gazette football writer Steve Canavan said: “Gorkss is certainly a popular lad.

“He came to Blackpool after fellow Latvian, Valery Belokon, invested money and became president of the club. Many fans thought Gorkss was a publicity stunt, but it hasn't turned out that way.

“He's been superb this season, is second top

scorer and is great at set-pieces.”

Gorkss was dubbed 'the David Beckham of Latvia' by hundreds of girl fans in his native country, with his good looks and charm appealing.

And, like the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, Gorkss is proving the real deal, with his performances on the pitch already catching the attention of Watford and Everton scouts, although for now he appears to be going nowhere.

Shot-shy on their travels (only Wolves and Hull have scored less away from home), Ipswich will need to get past the giant defender who joined the Tangerines on New Year's Day last year, if their away-day hoodoo is to be broken.

Gorkss has come along way from his roots in Riga, Latvia, to his current home in Lytham St Annes.

But he's the rock that the Tangerines are built upon... cut him open and he's Blackpool through and through.