Managerless Peterborough United and the starting line-up options for EFL Trophy tie
Managerless Peterborough United set out on the Wembley trail again on Tuesday night when hosting League Two side Colchester United visit the Weston Homes Stadium for an EFL Trophy group match (7pm kick off).
It could be a handy distraction after the turmoil of the last couple of days which saw a damaging home defeat at the hands of struggling Doncaster Rovers and the sacking of manager Luke Williams.
Ryan Harley, assistant to Williams, will take charge of Posh tonight and probably on Saturday when a daunting League One visit to Stockport County takes place. Only 18 year-old Lucca Mendonca of the club’s five senior central defenders will be available for both games after international call-ups for Josh Feeney and David Okagbue. Experienced pair Sam Hughes, a former Stockport player, and Tom O’Connor remain on the injury list.
It is therefore an opportunity for Harley to field the back four against Colchester that could play at County, with Mendonca partnered by Evan Weir in between full-backs Carl Johnston and Harley Mills. Harley could also decide to get funky and play three central defenders with Johnston tucked inside and Noah Freeman and Mills operating as wing-backs.
It’s a dilemma for sure, although it definitely seems to be a good time to get a rest into top scorer Harry Leonard and into goalkeeper Alex Bass, unless Harley feels the number one needs to get used to a makeshift defence.
The interim Posh management team were in meetings when they weren’t training so no pre-match press conference took place.
Possible Posh team
Andeng Ndi
Johnston, Mendonca, Weir, Mills
Jones, Ashfield, Woods.
Shofowoke, Ormerod, Williams
Colchester, who are 15th in League Two with two wins and two defeats in seven matches, are set to field several young players in the tie.
Manager Danny Cowley told the Colchester Evening Gazette: “It’s a really exciting game for us, because I’m really looking forward to the opportunity it gives to our players, particularly some of our young ones.”
On-loan Posh striker Brad Ihionvien could only play for Colchester tonight with permission from his parent club. Ihionvien has yet to score for Colchester since returning to the club on a season-long loan.
The winning side tonight will receive two points. If it’s a draw after 90 minutes it’s one point apiece with an extra point available to the winners of a penalty shoot out.
Competition holders Luton Town and Ipswich Town Under 21s are also in the Posh group. They also play tonight.