Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson will give Scottish star Paul Coutts another chance to shine at the heart of the midfield for Saturday's Coca-Cola League One meeting with Tranmere Rovers at London Road.

Dean Keates and Sergio Torres are both rated as 'very doubtful' with Keates sustaining a knee injury in training. Ferguson confirmed it was a straight choice between Charlie Lee and Micah Hyde for the other midfield slot.

'Paul Coutts has trained magnificently this week and he did well on his debut at Northampton, so my question is who to partner him with. Dean is a major doubt and will go for a scan on his knee while Charlie is now over his ankle knock and is in contention.

'Sergio is extremely doubtful with his knee injury, but should be back next week in training. Shane Blackett and Aaron Mclean are obviously both out. Scott Rendell did well last weekend and he gives us a different option in attack.

'We know we are in for a tough game against Tranmere. They know the league very well and had a great win at Huddersfield last time out. They are a big side and they are dangerous at set-pieces, so it is about concentration and picking up your man. The lads know their jobs.

'I think Ronnie Moore said the match against ourselves would be more difficult than the Huddersfield game and that shows that people fear us, but we need to show them that in the matches. We have been decent at home this year, but we need to improve defensively,' Ferguson said.