The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Big blow ahead of the crunch clash
Posh have been dealt a savage injury blow ahead of their crunch League One clash at Barnsley on Sunday.
On-loan left-back Nathanael Ogbeta, one of the star Posh perfomers since arriving at the club from Swansea in January, has been ruled out of the trip to Oakwell and any play-off matches that follow.
The 22 year-old limped out of last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers and a subsequent scan confirmed Posh fears it was a thigh muscle injury that would take weeks to heal.
And Posh could be without both first-choice full-backs this weekend, although right-sided defender Nathan Thompson is recovering quicker than expected from an ankle injury and has an outside chance of playing at Barnsley.
Posh boss Darren Ferguson was determied to stay upbeat ahead of what would have been a daunting task with a full strength side.
"It’s not great losing either Nathanael or Nathan,” Ferguson admitted. “But there are options within the squad.
"I could change shape, I could play Josh Knight at right-back again or put Joe Ward there, and I have Dan Butler as a left back, while Harrison Burrows could play as a left-back or a left wingback.
"Kell Watts is also an op
tion if we play three at the back.
"I left Kell out of the squad last Saturday because I wanted as many attacking players as possible in a game we needed to win.
"Nathan could yet make it, although I have to say he is doubtful at this stage.
"He’s recovered quicker than we expected, but he has a couple of tests to get through and if he’s successful he could be in contention for Sunday.
“Originally we didn’t think he would play again
this season.”
Ogbeta played in the last 20 Posh matches and scored a goal in a vital 2-0 win over play-off rivals Derby in March.
On-loan centre-back Watts hasn’t been seen in action since New Year’s Day.
Possible Posh line-up… Norris
Kent, Edwards, Butler Ward, Norburn, Taylor, Burrows.
Poku, JCH, EMC
Subs: Blackmore, Butler, Jones, Kyprianou, B. Thompson, Tshimanga, Knight.