A look ahead to Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash with Crawley Town at the Weston Homes Stadium (3pm).
Peterborough United welcome Crawley Town to the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Sky Bet League One action (3pm) with manager Darren Ferguson looking for his team to bounce back following Monday night's local derby defeat at the hands of Northampton Town.
Posh were beaten 2-1 by the Cobblers following a Cameron McGeehan brace at Sixfields with Malik Mothersille on target for Ferguson's men.
Crawley have won two out of the last three games in all competitions including an eye-catching 2-1 victory on the road at Charlton Athletic last time out.
TEAM NEWS
Posh are without the services of winger Kwame Poku (hamstring) with the former Colchester United man set to be out until February 2025 with a hamstring injury.
Poku is currently on crutches, but is set to begin his rehab shortly after a successful operation. Bradley Ihionvien is slightly ahead of schedule and could return following the Christmas period.
Jed Steer is back on grass next week while Rio Adebisi continues to make steady progress from a long-term injury lay-off.
Regarding Crawley's availability, Toby Mullarkey is back in the ranks after missing the win over Charlton through suspension, so Benjamin Tanimu's brief spell in the starting lineup could come to an end.
Goalkeeper Ryan Sandford is still months away from making his comeback from an ankle injury, but Joe Wollacott remains the undisputed first choice in between the sticks, keeping Chelsea loanee Eddie Beach at bay.
Elliot has also confirmed that Dion Conroy and Junior Quitirna are both back in full training, although he has refused to guarantee that they will be ready to play this weekend.
MANAGER QUOTES
"Crawley are a good side and play a similar way to previous managers under Rob Elliott. The performance wasn't bad against Northampton, we know the areas that ultimately led to the defeat. We have to remain positive, we have to remain together and we will do that. Football can change quickly, particularly over the festive period,” Darren Ferguson said.
ONE TO WATCH
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy
Hepburn-Murphy is a product of the Aston Villa youth academy. On 14th March 2015, he made his league debut for Aston Villa, coming on as a substitute for the last seven minutes in place of Christian Benteke in the 4–0 away victory at Sunderland. At the age of 16 years and 176 days, he is the second youngest player in the club's history. He is also the youngest player to appear in a match for the club during the Premier League era.
On 11th January 2019, Hepburn-Murphy agreed to join Cambridge United on loan for the remainder of the season. On 2nd August 2019, Hepburn-Murphy joined EFL League One side Tranmere Rovers on a season-long loan. He had a loan at Derby County before joining Pafos in the Cypriot First Division.
On 1st September 2022, Hepburn-Murphy returned to England, joining League Two club Swindon Town. He made his Swindon Town debut on 20th September 2022, scoring their only goal in a 3–1 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Trophy. On 28th June 2024, it was announced that Hepburn-Murphy would sign for League One club Crawley Town following the expiry of his Swindon contract.
TICKET NEWS
The GH Display Stand is closed for this fixture with Crawley fans accommodated in the away section of the Kings Power Solutions Stand. Tickets are available at www.theposhtickets.com and via the Weston Homes Stadium Ticket Office.
KIT COLOURS
Posh will be in the home kit for this game.
MATCH OFFICIAL
The referee is Thomas Parsons.