It’s a fair question and we’re likely to find out in the final 13 matches of the season, especially if injuries, suspensions and dips in form continue to arrive.
We’ve assessed the chances of those usually in reserve making an impact on a League One promotion push if they are called-up.
Appearances are those made this season. The 11 players featured have started just 33 games between them.
There is no recall clause on Ryan Broom (Burton) and Serhat Tasdemir (Oldham) who are currently out on loan.
Teenage forward Flynn Clarke is out for the season with a hip injury.
5.
HARRISON BURROWS: Position: Wing back, midfield. Age: 19. Appearances: 10. One senses Posh boss Ferguson wants to get this gifted left-footer into his side regularly, but he’d probably need to switch to wing-backs and three centre-backs to make it happen. Burrows has obvious attacking talent and has twice put superb crosses on to the head of Jonson Clarke-Harris for goals. He scored his first senior goal last weekend. He’s not a natural defender, but as a wing-back that’s not quite so important. He has the pace and energy to get up and down the flank and he would soon be pushing Dan Butler hard for that position. His attitude is excellent. He wouldn't let anyone down.
6.
IDRIS KANU: Position: Wing-back, attacker. Age: 21. Appearances: 13. Kanu has shown promise at times this season and also some naivety in some of his six starts. He has great athleticism and impressive pace which seem well-suited to a wing-back role, but he seems to lose confidence in his natural attacking ability when he reaches the opposition penalty area. He becomes very indecisive, but that was a criticism aimed at Joe Ward in the past and he is much better in that regard now. Kanu is also capable of playing further forward and has an eye on a number 10 role in the future. His defensive work from wing-back has been solid. His energy could become valuable as the season wears on.
7.
Position: Centre midfield. Age: 23. Appearances: 10. Reed has been pulled in all directions this season. He wasn’t in the club’s salary cap squad, but he was brought back into the fold and started the season in the side alongside Jack Taylor. Reed disappeared again after a bad defeat at Wimbledon, only to reappear at Oxford as a substitute last week following the loss of Taylor to a long-term injury. Reed is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to be offered a new deal, but he looks set to stay involved, at least until Taylor returns. At his best Reed is a decent Leeague One player with a wide passing range. He'd be ok in the games when Posh could dominate possession and he's likely to play in Tuesday's game against Portsmouth. Photo: Midlands
8.
ETHAN HAMILTON: Position: Central midfield. Age: 22. Appearances: 23. Hamilton has started just nine League One matches, but can now expect to see more action in the absence of Jack Taylor. His performance at Oxford last week was a real eye-opener, full of the usual hard running and tackling, but also some crisp, accurate passing. Hamilton’s attitude has been outstanding all season and the rest of this campaign could be a big opportunity for the former Manchester United player. Taylor is an automatic pick when he returns to fitness, but no other central midfielder is. Sadly a red card this week will take him out of the side again, but he's a shoo-in to return as soon as possible.