Manager Darren Ferguson will have to make at least one change to his starting line-up for Saturday's FA Cup second round tie with Tranmere Rovers at London Road as recent loan signing Andrew Crofts is cup-tied.

Crofts played in the first round for Gillingham in their 1-0 win against Bury at Gigg Lane, coming on as a substitute six minutes from time. Charlie Lee and Paul Coutts are vying for a spot alongside Dean Keates in midfield as Crofts' replacement.

Centre back Gabriel Zakuani is expected to overcome as nasty cut to his knee and will take his place in the starting line-up, but Posh have an able deputy in Chris Westwood should Zakuani not make it.

Winger Chris Whelpdale is fit again after a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but it is believed that Sergio Torres and Shaun Batt are the two under consideration for a place on the right hand side of midfield.

Ferguson insists that the FA Cup is very important to the football club and the team are fully aware that a good performance and victory against Tranmere is imperative. 'This is a massive game for the football club and we will be going all out for the victory. Tranmere caused us one or two problems in the league game and we performed well in the second half that day to secure a 2-2 draw.

'The FA Cup is an important competition and the players are desperate to reach round three. We are at home and that is all you can ask for when the draw is made. Tranmere have had a couple of decent results of late and we know what to expect,' Ferguson told theposh.com.