Boost for Posh as Dembele passes fitness test ahead of a tough game at Gillingham

Mo Eisa scores from the penalty spot for Posh at Gillingham last season.

Dembele missed last Tuesday’s win over Ipswich and would have been absent from Saturday’s match at Blackpool if it hadn’t been postponed.

But he will be involved at Gillingham, possibly from the substitutes’ bench if manager Darren Ferguson sticks with the same side that beat the Tractor Boys convincingly. Mo Eisa started that game up front with top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Ferguson is wary of the physical pressing game Gillingham have employed with great effect in recent games. Gills’ boss Steve Evans sets his team up to deliver many balls into the opposition penalty area, from throw-ins, set-pieces and general play.

Siriki Dembele should be back in action for Posh at Gillingham.

“Gillingham are very good at what they do,” Ferguson admitted. “Mark Robson (assistant manager) watched them win at Charlton on Saturday and they were very good at times.

“They deservedly drew at Sunderland recently and they beat Crewe very easily. I watched them lose 3-0 to Lincoln and that result was very flattering for Lincoln.

“It’s a tough game for sure. It always is down there, but it’s down to us to make sure they don’t get the control in certain parts of the pitch that they like to have.

“We have to find a way of winning. We have to find a way of improving our away form. Five of our next seven matches are away from home.

“Siriki is fit which is good news. He wouldn’t have played at Blackpool and provided there is no reaction in training today he will be involved.

“I have a decision to make now. Mo did well against Ipswich. He is arguably the best finisher in the club and he is fresh which is going to be very important for the rest of this season.

“Mo is frustrated by not playing as much as he would have liked, but I know he is just one goal away from going on a scoring run.”

The next seven Posh matches are Gillingham (away), Wimbledon (home), Plymouth (away), Wigan (home), Oxford (away), Burton (away) and Hull (home).

Posh have won on their last two visits to Priestfield, 4-2 when Evans was Posh manager in 2018 ,and 2-1 under Ferguson last season when Evans was managing the Gills.

Posh are the joint lowest scorers away from home in League One with 11 goals in 13 matches, the same number as Shrewsbury.