On the way out?

Posh appear to be resigned to losing key men in the summer.

In a recent edition of his popular ‘Hard Truth’ podcast, Posh chairman and majority owner Darragh MacAnthony discussed his club’s summer recruitment plans.

Posh traditionally have a pair of plans, one for Championship football and one for another League One campaign.

There must be a big chance of first-choice centre-backs Josh Knight and Ronnie Edwards now leaving London Road.

Knight is out of contract this summer so can leave on a free transfer, while Edwards will enter the last year of his existing deal and if Posh are to cash in on a prize asset it would have to happen in this close season.

Posh have already beefed up the central defensive positions in the under 21 squad with one newcomer arriving from the Premier League.

MacAnthony said: “We will be addressing the centre-back situation in the summer. We will be losing a lot of centre-halves so we are having to do some remodelling in the first team and we will also make sure we have quality coming through.

"We have signed two centre-backs for the under 21s, one a 6ft 4ins leftsided defender from Aston Villa and Ollie Rose from our Academy who is signing a pro deal.”

Posh signed central defender Romoney Crichlow from Bradford City last summer, but he has been a disappointment. The club still have hope another centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez could make the necessary progress.

MacAnthony is confident young full-backs James Dornelly and Harley Mills can make the step up to the first-team, possibly even next season.

MacAnthony added: “There is more expectation re James right now, but Harley also has a great chance. He showed that on his debut at Cheltenham.”

The second leg of the play-off semifinal between Posh and Oxford at the Weston Homes Stadium on Wednesday evening kicked off after the PT print deadline.

For a report and the match reaction visit www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk.

Ronnie Edwards in action for Posh. Photo Joe Dent/theposh.com.