Defender set to leave Peterborough United and a Christmas Day workout for the players

Posh boss Darren Ferguson made it clear he now sees the 19 year-old Ireland Under 21 international as surplus to requirements during a pre-match press conference on Thursday. Posh are also keen to create salary cap space so they can make signings of their own in the January transfer window.

Right-back Curtis has appeared in 15 of Posh’s 19 League One matches so far this season, including nine starts, but he has been absent from the last two matches, even though several changes were made for the EFL Trophy win over Northampton Town on Tuesday.

"Sam is still here and available,” Ferguson said. “But I am mindful we have to let players go to bring players in next month and we now have good cover for his position. I played James Dornelly again on Tuesday as I felt sticking him straight back in after he had a difficult afternoon in the previous game was the best thing to do for him and I have to say he responded very well.”

Manchester City loanee Jadel Katongo, an excellent one-on-one defender, can also play effectively at right-back and he could get the nod in that position at Stockport County on Friday as he would come into direct contact with League One’s top scorer Louie Barry.

Ferguson has revealed his players will have a full training session on Christmas Eve and a short session early on Christmas morning ahead of the Boxing Day home game with Mansfield Town.