It is possible a draw would keep Posh in the play-off places, but, given two of the last three games for Darren Ferguson’s men are against excellent top four sides in Ipswich Town and Barnsley, it’s not likely to be enough in the long run.
Ferguson will probably not tinker too much with a side that had performed well in a six-match unbeaten run before a shocking effort at local rivals Cambridge United on Saturday.
But Joe Ward’s absence has created a problem. Here’s how the PT would solve it.
9. EPHRON MASON-CLARK
He needs to play on the left for 90 minutes and be encouraged to get the ball into the box more quickly than he managed on Saturday. He remains a potent attacking threat. Photo: Joe Dent
10. KWAME POKU
It's easy to forget Poku is just 21 so consistency is always likely to be an issue, but Posh need more from him in the final push now that Ward has gone. Poku, who hasn't scored since a deflected effort at Morecambe on February 18, is on the right side of my forward line with the instruction to run directly at defenders and cross the ball earlier. Photo: Joe Dent
11. JONSON CLARKE-HARRIS
It's only a small sample size admittedly, but Kabongo Tshimanga has shown so little so far the continued good health of Clarke-Harris is paramount to any chance of a play-off appearance. He's now only two goals clear in the race for the League One Golden Boot now so his teammates need to help get him over the line. Photo: Joe Dent
12. THE SUBSTITUTES
Harrison Burrows (pictured), Ben Thompson, Josh Knight, Kabongo Tshimanga, Will Blackmore, Dan Butler and Kai Corbett. Why not give the free-scoring under 21 player Corbett a chance? Photo: Joe Dent