Expensive summer signing finally ready to make his competitive debut for Peterborough United

Left-back Adebisi moved to Posh from League Two Crewe Alexandra for £500,000, but picked up a knee injury which required surgery after a couple of pre-season appearances. He will be joined in the Under 21 team at the idverde Training Ground by on-loan Manchester City defender Jadel Katongo who will continue his recovery from a hamstring injury.

"Rio looks good and strong, and obviously he’s fresh,” Posh boss Darren Ferguson told the Posh Plus service. “We’ve had a long term plan for Rio ever since he picked up his injury and we will resist any temptation to accelerate it just because he’s getting close to a return. He will play for longer in a game the following week. There is no point in rushing him.

"Jadel is a bit further along than Rio in terms of his recovery and just to be clear Manchester City are not insisting he plays centre-half for us. Jadel is a centre-half, but he also gives me options at right-back and in midfield. The most important thing for him and for City is he plays games, although he has to get into the side first. Jadel is a very good player though. He showed that for us last season.

"Oscar Wallin and Manny Fernandez look like a good partnership though and we have George Nevett who has also done well when he has played.”

Katongo returned to Posh late in the summer transfer window. He made five appearances before picking up his injury in the 3-2 defeat at Birmingham City in September.

Posh skipper, and key midfielder, Hector Kyprianou is also on his way back from a hamstring injury with early December his comeback date. On-loan Manchester City midfielder Mahamadou Susoho is expected to return after his thigh injury in January.

Ferguson has given his players the weekend off with preparations for the next League One game at home to Reading (November 23) starting in earnest on Monday. Players who have missed games recently like Chris Conn-Clarke played in a 4-2 behind-closed-doors under 21 friendly with Luton Town on Tuesday.