The summer has been long, the pre-season campaign seems to have lasted forever, but finally, Peterborough United not far away from the big Coca-Cola Championship kick-off with Derby County the first opponents at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
A fairly low-key start for Darren Ferguson and his team then. Unless you count a 30,000 crowd, the fact that Derby are managed by Nigel Clough, the son of another great manager just like Darren and the added media interest which will be created by BBC Television's 12-minute edit of the highlights, which will be screened on Saturday evening as the corporation's 'chosen game'.
Ferguson wouldn't have it any other way. He commented this week that the media interest generated from the Fergie v Clough story might help detract from the enormity of the opening game of the season for his players.
'I am not too bothered about the media hyping up the fact that it is myself versus Nigel, that may help take away a bit of the attention from my players. Nigel is always going to be compared to his father just like me, but when 3pm comes around on Saturday, we can't influence anything. It is then down to the players and I am confident my lads will go out there and express themselves,' Ferguson said.
TEAM NEWS
So what players will Darren have at his disposal on Saturday? The good news for Posh supporters is the return of striker Craig Mackail-Smith from injury. 'Smudge' as the management and the rest of the squad have christened him, has been sidelined with a groin strain, but came through an hour of the friendly with Sunderland unscathed and has been named in the squad travelling to Derby.
Dean Keates, a man that should not be underestimated when it comes to dressing room pranks, is also back in the squad after an injury lay-off and his experience will prove crucial in a squad that's average age is around the 23-mark.
Chris Whelpdale had a hernia operation in the close-season so will be unavailable, but he is the only man ruled out ahead of the clash. Remember, the management have seven substitutes at their disposal this season so it will be a large squad making the journey to Pride Park.
So what of the opposition? Well, Derby have one or two more injury worries to contend with. Giles Barnes has been ruled out while summer signing Shaun Barker has a thigh strain. Chris Porter will also not feature. With Dean Leacock and Rob Hulse already out of saturday's game, the Rams are facing an injury crisis before a ball has been kicked though boss Nigel Clough received a timely boost when Lee Croft declared himself fit.
TICKET INFORMATION
There will be no tickets on sale on the day for Peterborough United supporters. Over 2.700 tickets have been sold to Posh fans, so Ferguson's men will have a large backing at Pride Park.
WEBSITE COVERAGE
theposh.com will be bringing you all the latest action from Pride Park with a half-time match report and a full-time match report, complete with a photo gallery, as well as the comments from the people that matter. Remember on the Posh Player, you can listen to full match commentary thanks to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
