Captain Craig Morgan (below) is away on international duty with Wales and veteran Chris Westwood is struggling with a hamstring injury. Kieran Charnock is transfer-listed and therefore unlikely to be considered leaving Shane Blackett as the only recognised central defender available for a match to be screened live on Sky Sports.

If Westwood fails to recover in time, manager Darren Ferguson is likely to press gang midfielder Charlie Lee into defensive duties. New centre-half Gaby Zakuani does not formally sign until next week.

Ferguson said: "Chris Westwood is touch and go for Saturday and it's a shame Gaby isn't here because I am sure he will be a great signing for us.

"I have heard nothing but good reports about him and we've done very well to get a player who once cost a million to drop down two divisions to play for us.

"He will sign for a month when he returns from international duty. The plan is that he takes a good look at us, likes what he sees and joins us permanently.

"A fee has been agreed with Fulham, but it isn't anywhere near the million pounds they paid for him! As for this weekend I may have to play Charlie at centre-half which isn't a problem as he played most of his Spurs career as a defender."

Lee's last outing as a centre-back wasn't a roaring success as Posh went down to a shock 2-0 defeat at Bury last year.

Rovers beat Hereford 6-1 a fortnight ago and played well again to force a 2-2 draw at League One title favourites Leeds United.

Zakuani, who is due to play for Congo against Egypt this weekend, is scheduled to make his Posh debut in the local derby at Northampton on September 13.

And he might not be the only new face in the Posh line-up that day as Ferguson revealed he was trying to recruit another loan player in time for the trip to Sixfields.

Clubs can sign players on loan for a maximum of 93 days outside of the transfer window.