We look ahead to the Bank Holiday Monday fixture at AFC Bournemouth.
Peterborough United are set to return to action on Bank Holiday Monday at promotion-chasing AFC Bournemouth (7.45pm) after an enforced break over the Christmas period due to Covid-19 issues within the squads of Reading and Birmingham City.
Last time out, Posh were beaten at Blackpool, while the Cherries are in action on Thursday evening as they look to strengthen their hopes of a return to the Premier League. The two sides drew 0-0 at the Weston Homes Stadium earlier in the campaign with an excellent defensive rear-guard the catalyst for the point.
TEAM NEWS
Conor Coventry and Mark Beevers have returned to the squad after completing their period of isolation after testing positive for Covid-19. Joe Ward has also tested positive for the virus, but could be available should he test negative twice in the coming days. Idris Kanu has linked up with the Sierra Leonne squad ahead of the AFCON. He is another that tested positive for the virus.
Ricky-Jade Jones is available after injury, but manager Darren Ferguson will leave it late as to whether to include him in the travelling squad with an under 23 fixture against Burnley taking place the following day. Jack Marriott remains side-lined but is running and changing direction on the grass as he steps up his rehabilitation.
The Cherries could make changes to their starting line-up, but have a talented squad at their disposal with Ben Pearson an unused substitute in their last game. Dominic Solanke is the club’s top scorer and is expected to lead the line.
FROM THE MANAGER
“I don’t think anyone is expecting us to go to Bournemouth and come away with a positive result, so in a way, the pressure is off the players, other than the pressure from within. We put in a good defensive display against them in the home game and we will need to defend well again. They have a very talented squad, they will make changes, but A for B or vice versa is certainly not going to have a massive bearing on the talent they have,” Darren Ferguson said.
TICKET NEWS
There is no pay on the day facility for Posh fans at the Vitality Stadium. Tickets are on sale at www.theposhtickets.com and via the Weston Homes Stadium Box Office until 3pm on Friday (open 10-3 on Thursday and Friday). As at 11am on Thursday, 161 tickets had been sold for the fixture.
Bournemouth have confirmed that those that have already purchased tickets will be able to collect on the day at the Vitality Stadium if they can’t pick them up from the Weston Homes Stadium.
POSH+
Our match with AFC Bournemouth on Monday 3rd January will be streamed LIVE on Posh+ both domestically and internationally. Simply click below to purchase a match pass.
https://www.theposh.com/video/packages
KIT COLOURS
Posh will be in the blue home kit for the game.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The match referee is Gavin Ward.