Posh host Portsmouth on Tuesday evening in the latest Sky Bet League One fixture.
Peterborough United are back in Sky Bet League One action on Tuesday night when Grant McCann’s men entertain Portsmouth at the ABAX Stadium (7.45pm) and three points could put the club on the cusp of the play-off positions with a game in hand on many of their closest rivals.
Following the 1-0 defeat to Blackpool on Saturday, the Posh boss is well aware that they need to get back to winning ways, but will come up against stiff opposition in Portsmouth, who are also pushing for promotion after success last term in League Two.
As is the norm these days, there are a number of familiar faces in the opposition ranks with Luke McGee between the sticks and Christian Burgess at the back. McGee joined Pompey in the summer after a successful stint at the ABAX Stadium while Burgess was a classy centre back when he joined from Middlesbrough after making his mark at Hartlepool United.
TEAM NEWS
McCann confirmed that he has no new injury worries to content with ahead of the game with just Junior Morias and Liam Shephard on the sidelines. Shephard has a groin problem while Morias continues to make good progress from a thigh injury. He is due to start running with the Head of Physical Performance Ben Mackenzie next week as he steps up his recovery.
MCCANN QUOTES
“We know that Portsmouth are a good side and in Brett Pitman have a striker in excellent form. They are a big club in the division, they have a big fan base, but they are in this league trying to get out of it, just like we are. We know that we need to get back on track and we are looking forward to that challenge.”
FROM THE OPPOSITION
“They are one of many teams who are chasing those top places and are in a good position to do so, as we are. Peterborough started off like a house on fire, but this is a tough division and there’s a lot of quality in the top half. I remember when they went down from the Championship with 54 points a few years ago and they’re always one of the teams in League One who are playing the best football.
“We’re not underestimating how hard it’s going to be, but a win has to be our aim. It’s a big week for us and we want a good total from the nine points that are available. Nobody’s going to give us that, however, and we have to work hard for every single one that we get,” Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett said.
TICKET NEWS
You can buy tickets for Tuesday night’s game at www.theposhtickets.com, via the Ticketmaster hotline 0844 847 1934 (calls cost 7ppm plus your network access fee) and in person at the ABAX Stadium Box Office. Portsmouth have sold over 750 tickets in advance of the game.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The match referee is Craig Hicks.