Newboy Hughes has been quick to impress

The best Posh performer during pre-season?

New strike partners ShaquileCoulthirstandPaulTaylor have been scoring goals, goalkeeper Ben Alnwick has been in outstanding form, while young Leo Da Silva Lopes has played well enough to tempt Premier League scouts to the ABAX Stadium.

But has anyone been more consistently impressive than new left-sided defender Andrew Hughes? Not really.

The24year-oldhasbeenso good the failure to persuade CallumEldertoreturntoPosh has been shrugged off by the club’s fans.

Hughes was picked up from League Two side Newport County in the summer. He’d fallen out of contract at a club he’d helped to two promotions and made a speedy decision to moveupadivision once he’d spoken to a former County team-mate.

“I called Conor Washing- ton as he had made the same moveasme,” Hughesrevealed. “And he couldn’t speak highly enoughoftheclub. Hetoldme it would be agreat move and that was good enough for me as I trust his opinion.

“I had great times at Newport. I was there for f ive seasons and we won two promotionssotheonlymemories I have are good ones.

“But it was time for a new challenge and, after speaking toConor, it wasano-brainerto move to Peterborough.

“It’s a higher division, they are a strong team at this level and the manager’s reputation in thegameisverygood. It was an offer I couldn’t turn down. Every player wants to test themselves at a higher level.

“Grant McCann made it obvious early doors what he wants and that’s promotion. All the players are tuned into that anddetermined to have a real go to make it happen

“I knowwehavesignedan- otherleft-back, butthat’s okay withme. I playmybestfootball when I have competition for my place.

“Anyway I have played the last three years as a centreback so I’m versatile.

“I settled in really quickly becausetheyareagoodbunch of lads here and pre-season has gone really well for us.

“I’ve played in the National League so I know how tough teams in that division are and we’ve tested ourselves against Championship sides.

“We’vewongameswhichis also important.”

Transfers between Posh and Newport have been rare. Centre- back Keith Oakes played in the European Cup Winners Cup for the Welsh club after leaving London Road.

Others to have played for both clubs include SouleymaneCoulibaly, AlanWaddle, Paul Bradshaw, Joe Day, John Cornforth and Andy Legg.