Defender Darren Gourlay was expected to miss the majority of the season after sustaining a depressed fracture of the femur at Norwich City in September, but his determination to help his team-mates in the PUMA Youth Alliance Cup will see the youngster return earlier than anticipated.

The Scottish-born full-back has worked hard in the gymnasium and his efforts have been rewarded with the news that he has been given the all-clear to resume light training. If all goes to plan, Gourlay could return to competitive action at the start of the New Year.

'My recovery is going really well and that is down to the work I have put in with weight training and the exercises I have completed on my knee. It is vitally important that when you are injured you eat the right things and complete the exercises and it has proved to be very worthwhile for me.

'I didn't think I would be playing for another three months, but because of the hard work I have put in I will be able to play again in January, which is great news and gives me something to look forward to.

'I went to see the doctor this week and he said the knee is getting stronger and although still slightly inflamed, he has given me the go-ahead to step up my recovery. I hope to be kicking a ball again within the next three weeks and then I can hopefully return in January,' Gourlay told theposh.com.

The under 18 side are into the quarter-finals of the PUMA Youth Alliance Cup and will face Queens Park Rangers in February. The Hoops beat Posh on the opening day of the league season 1-0.

This weekend the Posh under 18s are in action at Gillingham this weekend while the Centre of Excellence sides are up against Leyton Orient with the under 9s, 11s and 13s at Hampton College on Sunday morning (11am).