A look ahead to the Sky Bet League One clash with Port Vale at the Weston Homes Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.45pm).
Peterborough United welcome Port Vale to the Weston Homes Stadium in Sky Bet League One action on Wednesday evening (7.45pm) with Darren Ferguson’s men looking to use the success at Wembley Stadium in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy final on Sunday as fillip for the rest of the league campaign.
Harrison Burrows netted twice against Wycombe Wanderers to send nearly 23,000 supporters wild at the national stadium, but the squad and management are now fully focussed on the remaining league games as they look to strengthen their position in the table.
Vale have struggled in the second half of the campaign and currently sit just outside of the relegation zone, but they are one of the teams within the bottom half that have enjoyed decent recent form under Darren Moore.
TEAM NEWS
Winger Michael Olakigbe has been ruled out for a few weeks after picking up an injury, but Jacob Wakeling is available for selection after recovering from injury. He was cup-tied for the final. James Dornelly remains part of the first team group but goalkeeper Will Blackmore and midfielder Jeando Fuchs remain side-lined.
Once again, Port Vale will be without Mitch Clark, Dan Gore and James Wilson, the latter of whom was recently ruled out for the rest of the season. Uche Ikpeazu is now nearing match-fitness, but Ryan Loft and England Under-17s striker Baylee Dipepa are set to battle it out with Gavin Massey for selection up front.
ONE TO WATCH
Ethan Chislett
Ethan Chislett is a South African attacking midfielder. He plays with flair and creativity, as well as the ability to score goals with late runs into the opposition penalty area. His grandfather, Gordon, represented the South Africa national team.
Chislett spent his formative years Southampton, Aldershot Town, Metropolitan Police and Basingstoke Town, though developed quickly with a spell in Spain with Reddis. He returned to Metropolitan Police and managed to win a move back to Aldershot Town, where he would score nine National League goals in the 2019–20 season. He was then signed to AFC Wimbledon in August 2020 and played 123 games in three seasons, top-scoring from midfield in the 2022–23 campaign. He joined Port Vale in July 2023.
FROM THE MANAGER
“Sunday was a brilliant day for everyone connected with the football club and the supporters were absolutely first-class and whilst we celebrated the win, as you must do, we have quickly refocussed. The players were in for recovery on Monday and trained on Tuesday and they look good. This game with Port Vale will be a tough one, they are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, but they have picked up of late, they have found a way of being better defensively,” Darren Ferguson said.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets are on sale now at www.theposhtickets.com and via the Weston Homes Stadium Ticket Office. Port Vale have sold just under 300 tickets and will occupy the away section of the North Stand. The GH Display Stand is closed for this fixture.
POSH+
Match passes are available worldwide priced at £10 with audio passes also available priced at £5. Chris Dowsett and Nilesh Patel will be on commentary duty.
HEAD TO HEAD
A goal from Ephron Mason-Clark earned Posh a 1-0 win at Vale Park earlier in the season.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
Former Port Vale skipper Tom Conlon came through the Posh Academy system but left Vale Park in January for Oldham Athletic. Among the other players to have featured for both include; Leon Constantine, Anthony Grant, Idris Kanu, Ricky Miller, Ernie Moss, Krystian Pearce, Justin Richards, Shaun Brisley, Tyler Denton, Tyrone Barnett, Ronnie Jepson, Carl Griffiths, Danny Sonner, Lawrie Wilson and Calum Willock. Current Posh Academy coach Sagi Burton and Sponsors Host David Riley also spent time at Vale.
KIT COLOURS
Posh will be in their home kit for the game.
HALL OF FAME
Ahead of the game, former Posh star Trevor Slack will be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame. This is due to happen around 7.30pm.
MATCH OFFICIAL
Adam Herczeg is the match referee.