How warm will the welcome be when one of the Peterborough United stars of last season returns to the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday?

But it will be interesting to see what sort of a reception attacking midfielder Joel Randall gets from Posh fans following his departure to League One rivals Bolton Wanderers in January, although the inflated £1 million transfer fee should be roundly applauded.

Randall scored a dozen goals for one the most attractive teams in Posh history last season. He was a key cog in the number 10 role of a fluent Posh passing team that just missed out on promotion after an unfortunate play-off semi-final defeat at the hands of Oxford United.

Bolton tried to buy him last summer, but Posh instead offered him a new contract which he signed. Randall than missed a couple of games after falling out with manager Darren Ferguson, a row that was smoothed over by an apology from the player, but when the Trotters came back for the 25 year-old in January there was no opposition to the sale from the boss.

Randall scored seven goals before leaving London Road this term, while rarely appearing to enjoy the more physically demanding aspect of professional football. It’s a criticism that’s dogged him at Bolton. It didn’t help Randall that the manager who signed him, Ian Evatt, was sacked 13 days later. He’s started just eight League One games for his current club scoring once.

Posh signed Randall as a left winger from Exeter City for £1 million in August 2021, but barely played a game for two seasons as injury and homesickness struck. Converting him to a 10 transformed him, but he has failed to kick on this season. Randall made 109 appearances for Posh, scoring 19 goals.

Bolton’s form improved initially under new manager Steve Schumacher, but they have tailed off badly and are now out of the play-off race barring some very unlikely late-season results. The 4-2 loss at Lincoln City on Easter Monday, which featured a late substitute appearance from Randall, was a fourth in a row.

Another former Posh player, centre-back Ricardo Santos, has been out of favour under Schumacher.