The fleet-footed centre-back is trvaelling with the senior squad to their summer training camp in Marbella tomorrow morning after recovering from a serious knee injury.

Blackett (25) made just 11 appearances for Posh last season and none since being substituted in the 3-2 defeat at Morecambe on December 29.

Ferguson said: "Shane missed so much of last season, his return is like signing a new player. I rate him highly so it's great to have him fit again.

"He has a lot of pace which is always good in a defender and I expect him to be challenging for a first-team place. He can play at left-back or centre-back.

"Shane was very unlucky to miss so much of last season so he will be determined to make an impact this time around."

Blackett was signed from Dagenham & Redbridge in January 2007 at the same time that striker Craig Mackail-Smith made the same journey.

Mackail-Smith (pictured right) refused to be drawn on the possible departure of his strike partner Aaron Mclean.

Mclean is on the transfer list after expressing a wish to join Championship side Wolves.

But Mackail-Smith said: "I'm just concentrating on my own game and my own fitness.

"I missed pre-season training last summer because of injury so I'm finding it a bit tough!"

Meanwhile Josh Low's move to League One rivals Swindon is in danger of falling through because of the player's wage demands.

Low is believed to be one of the highest paid players in the Posh squad, so high that Posh are prepared to let him go on a free transfer.

But Swindon's finances are not in good shape and they are reluctant to match his London Road salary. Low still has two years of his Posh contract remaining.

Low and the other transfer-listed players, goalkeepers Mark Tyler and Shwan Jalal, striker Danny Crow and full-backs Adam Smith and Danny Blanchett are not going to Marbella.

Smith is injured anyway as is first-choice left-back Jamie Day who will remain in England next week.

Ferguson has yet to speak to Crow about a potential loan move to bitter local rivals Cambridge United, but the player is thought to want to stay in the Football League.

Posh have signed just full-back Russell Martin from Wycombe on a free transfer this summer.

Midfielder Mark Jones is expected to complete his move from Wrexham once he has passed a thorough medical later this month.