Fergie sends for Coventry as Posh chase better away form

Posh boss Darren Ferguson is prepared to throw new loan midfielder Conor Coventry straight into the heat of battle at Sheffield United on Saturday, even though he is yet to take part in a single training session with his new teammates.

Coventry has been away with Ireland Under 21s since making his transfer deadline day switch from West Ham United.

He was due to report to Posh today (Thursday), but he’s not expected to train with the first team until tomorrow.

“Conor’s been playing matches so he’s fit,” Ferguson stated. “He’s a good player and a bright lad so he will observe training on Thursday and join in on Friday.

“He will definitely be involved on Saturday. The fact he’s not joined up with us yet is not a reason not to pick him. I’m happy to have so many good options.”

Coventry, a fit-again Jack Taylor and summer signings Oliver Norburn and Jorge Grant are battling for two midfield slots at Bramall Lane, unless Ferguson deploys a different formation.

The boss believes he now has the players to use a midfield diamond.

Ferguson’s attacking plans are fluid with the threat of a suspension hanging over Jonson Clarke-Harris and concerns over Jack Marriott’s chances of lasting 90 minutes.

Siriki Dembele’s fitness has improved so he should start against a Blades team strengthened by their own transfer deadline day business.

Former Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen, Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane all moved to the club.

Blades boss Slaviša Jokanović is trying to get the side playing better football. They have just two points from their opening five matches following relegation from the Premier League last season.

“They were always going to strengthen,” Ferguson added. “They tried to sign a couple more as well, but deals fell through.

“They’ve added good experience in Hourihane and an athletic midfielder in GibbsWhite.

“They already had some top midfielders in John Fleck, Sander Berge and Oliver Norwood as well as a team stacked with players with plenty of Premier League experience so it’s a tough task for us again.

“But it’s the chance to play at a great stadium in front of passionate fans and we will have an excellent following ourselves.

“Obviously we need to play better than in our two previous away games (defeats at Luton and Preston without scoring), but we are looking stronger.

“We’ve gone toe-to-toe with a couple of big clubs already this season so we know we can compete.”

Conor Coventry (left) in action for Ireland.