Jamal Campbell-Ryce

Posh U18s return to league action on Saturday morning.

Peterborough United U18s return to action in the Under-18 Professional Development League on Saturday morning (11am) as they face Sheffield United at Sheffield United Football Academy.

The under 18s have yet to register a win in the Professional Development League, previously falling to a narrow 3-2 defeat to Hull City. During the extended break, Posh faced Derby County in a friendly last week to maintain fitness levels ahead of this weekend’s trip against The Blades.

The Blades have also had a difficult start to their 2023/24 campaign, picking up just one victory in their first six games, but after finishing second in the table last season, Jamal Campbell-Ryce expects a similar test this weekend and believes the break was a good opportunity to work with the players closely.

Campbell-Ryce said: “I think we all know what to expect when we face them. First of all, they work very hard together and we will need to match that. If we don’t match that, we will get run over. After that, it will be about us avoiding silly goals, which has been a repeat in the under 18s and under 21s this season, but we are going into it with a positive mindset. As long as the players compete and showcase our principles, then we give ourselves a great opportunity.

“It has been good a break. Sometimes you want to get some good work into the players and they have certainly got that over the last two weeks. However, ultimately, it’s about the matchday and making sure they transfer that over into the games and showcase themselves in the right way.”

Defender Fabian Claxton and forward Joel Odei-Larbi are unavailable for the trip to Sheffield on Saturday. Updates of the game will be provided on The Posh Academy X account.