A look ahead to Saturday's game with Walsall at the ABAX Stadium.
Peterborough United entertain Walsall in Sky Bet League One action at the ABAX Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm) as the festive fixtures get underway with Steve Evans’ men facing four games in ten days ahead of the January transfer window.
A goal in stoppage time from central defender Rhys Bennett secured a late point at Shrewsbury Town last weekend while the Saddlers will still be buoyed by a tremendous 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland in the FA Cup second round replay.
TEAM NEWS
Posh are waiting on the fitness of defender Ryan Tafazolli who has a slight knock. Jason Naismith and Sebastien Bassong are waiting in the wings should Tafazolli fail to make it. Other than that, Posh have a fully fit squad to choose from for the clash with the Saddlers.
Former Posh defender Russell Martin is expected to start at the heart of the defence for Walsall as they look to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat at Bradford City. Striker Morgan Ferrier is expected to lead the line for the Saddlers.
FROM THE GAFFER
“Walsall enjoyed an excellent result at Sunderland in the FA Cup but they have dipped a bit in the league of late. Dean Keates was a great player for Peterborough United and I remember fondly watching him play but he is going to be in the opposing dugout this weekend. We need to start this clutch of games strongly. Four games in a short space of time, some good results and we are in a magnificent position going into the transfer window in January,” Steve Evans said.
FROM THE OPPOSITION
“It’s going to be a tough game. Steve Evans teams get in your face, he builds teams that push for promotion. He has done that down there. I know the football club very well. I had two and a half years there. Russ was the same we won a couple of promotions.
“But it’s all in the past now. It’s something that I look back on with fond memories and I’m still in touch with a few people from the club. And that’s not just through the football club, as a family down there we made some good friends. We kept in touch with them since. At the beginning of the season, you look at the first fixtures and that was one I looked at to see when we’d get the opportunity to go back,” Dean Keates said.
TICKET NEWS
Remember under 18s are admitted for just £1 on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online at theposhtickets.com, in person at the ABAX Stadium Box Office or on the Ticketmaster Hotline on 0844 847 1934 (calls cost 7ppm plus your network access fee).
FAN ZONE
Join us from midday until kick-off for our Christmas market stalls including candy floss, mulled wine, mince pies, roasted chestnuts; have your photo taken with live reindeer; plus, other Christmas treats and Christmas-themed fun! If you’re lucky you might even get to see Santa.
We also have a special live performance from magician, Sean Heydon and youngsters from the Peterborough Cathedral Choir will be performing some festive tunes.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The match referee is Paul Marsden.