Injury blow for Peterborough United teenager, classy defender could play in FA Youth Cup tie rather than League One game and Fergie approves of 5-sub rule

The 17 year-old picked up a hamstring issue in Tuesday’s Under 23 friendly with Southend. Posh boss Darren Ferguson hadn’t made up his mind whether to use Clarke in tomorrow’s (Friday) FA Youth Cup tie at Altrincham or in Saturday’s League One fixture at home to Blackpool, but he will now miss the rest of this month at least.

“Flynn felt a problem with his hamstring during the game, but didn’t tell us quickly enough,” Ferguson stated. “He tried to carry on playing and now he will be out for 3-5 weeks.

“I might not have used him against Blackpool anyway, but it’s still a shame for the lad who’s been doing well this season.”

Ferguson is also considering whether to allow teenage centre-back Ronnie Edwards to play at Altrincham rather than stay with the first-team.

Idris Kanu and Harrison Burrows could be the players to step into the first-team squad and their chances of contributing against Blackpool have been increased by a change in rules to allow five substitutes in a game.

“Moving to five substitites is a wise move,” Ferguson said. “With the games coming thick and fast this season the chance sof injury have been increased.

“It will be interesting how clubs use them. You could send five on at once, you could give half the team a rest if you’re winning comfortably and you could send on a few attacking players if you’re struggling.

“If Ronnie and Flynn and both missing on Saturday it a chance for others to come in and claim a regular place.”