Fergie and Fry try to shove Maddison through the exit door

Posh - Manager is fed up with the circus act

Wantaway Peterborough United star Marcus Maddison has been told he has no future at the club even if he doesn’t leave London Road in the January transfer window.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson has stated he will no longer consider selecting the 26 yearold after calling the fuss and speculation that has dogged the player since the transfer window opened ‘a circus act.’

Championship clubs Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City have had bids for Maddison accepted – it’s presumed they triggered the £2.5 million release clause in his contract – but talks have stalled at both clubs.

Posh director of football Barry Fry has urged Maddison to move to his old club Birmingham, but the situation is complicated by the player sharing an agent with Charlton manager Lee Bowyer.

Fry said: “Marcus would love it at Birmingham and the Birmingham fans would love him.

“But Marcus does not appear to be in any rush. He begged us to let him go to the Championship, but he’s not budged despite us accepting bids from two clubs.

“He has spoken to Charlton,

but nothing has been agreed even though his agent is keen for him to go there.

“The Birmingham offer is much more rewarding financially, but I don’t expect anything to happen before the weekend.

“Marcus needs to realise that the manager is not going to play him any more so he needs to move on.”

Ferguson moved swiftly to replace Maddison by signing summer transfer target Sammie Szmodics on loan from Bristol City for the rest of the season.

Ferguson said: “Marcus is no longer part of my plans. I want closure from the circus act surrounding him. I want to stop talking about Marcus.

“I have to manage 20-odd players and my focus will always be on the needs of the team rather than one individual. I think everyone, the fans included, believes it’s time Marcus moved on.

“The chairman offered him an excellent contract last summer which he turned down because he wanted Championship football, which is fine. I get that, but the club has now found two Championship clubs willing to take him on and he now can’t agree personal terms. The deals are also good for the club as Marcus only has six months on his contract left.

“It’s Marcus’s right not to move, but whether he goes or not he’s not part of my plans any more. I’m not convinced Marcus will move in January, but the club will definitely move on without him.

“I had to make this decision. I need everyone pointing in the same direction. I would have made the same decision about Marcus if Sammie hadn’t signed.”

Maddison became embroiled in a spat with fans this week which ended with the player receiving a death threat. The club are investigating.

Barry Fry: ‘The Birmingham fans would love Maddison.”

Marcus Maddison (black shirt) in action for Posh.