LEFT-BACK CAllum Elder v Andrew Hughes

Elder’s return is still up in the air, but assuming McCann’s confidence about the capture of the talented Aussie is not misplaced, it would be a significant boost to Posh prospects. Elder was quite brilliant in Graham Westley’s Posh team and his pre-Christmas injury was as big a blow as losing free-scoring Conor Washington. The Leicester loanee looked born to play as a left-back behind (or often in front of) a midfield diamond. He crossed the ball better than any recemt Posh leftback with the possible exception of Tommy Williams. Hughes left Newport for Posh after six years in South Wales. He helped the club to promotion back to the Football League before suffering a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for 11 months. Hughes returned to action in November and played strongly in the second-half of the season in League Two. A Newport contact told the PT that Hughes is good in possession, defends strongly, but can also play effectively at centre-back.

I monitored Andrew for a few months and when I realised he would not be signing a new contract at Newport I moved in. Andrew was very good in the second half of last season and will give us good balance in a position that was a problem last season as soon as Callum left. “Callum has been my number one target all summer. Our season fell away when we lost Callum, Jermaine Anderson and Conor Washington in quick succession.”

Elder’s return would make it hard for Hughes. He played left-back for Posh last season as well as anyone since Adam Drury.