Peterborough United striker Craig Mackail-Smith has been named in the squad for Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship opener at Derby County (3pm) after coming through Tuesday night's pre-season friendly with Sunderland at London Road unscathed. Mackail-Smith played an hour against the Mackems and suffered no reaction in training this week, so boss Darren Ferguson has no hesitation in including the former Dagenham and Redbridge front man in the travelling party for Pride Park.

'Craig came through an hour against Sunderland with no problems and suffered no adverse reaction to that in training this week. Generally he is a fit lad and recovers well from setbacks so I have no hesitation in naming him in the squad. As I mentioned earlier in the week, adrenaline will get him through anyway.

'It is only after three or four games that players who have been out for long periods begin to get a bit leggy and we will be monitoring him closely. Craig is an important player and it is a great boost to have him available for selection,' Ferguson said at his weekly press conference.

The Posh boss also confirmed that Dean Keates will be in the squad leaving just winger Chris Whelpdale on the sidelines. Whelpdale had a hernia operation in the close-season and is expected to be back ahead of the fixture with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday 18th August.

'Chris is making good progress and I would say he is ahead of schedule at the minute. He is another lad who responds well to treatment and I expect him to be available for selection for the West Bromwich Albion fixture,' Ferguson added. Remember, the game at Pride Park is now ALL-TICKET with tickets on sale from the London Road Box Office until 12pm on Friday.