More bad injury news for Peterborough United as recoveries are taking longer than expected, but there is one returnee this weekend

Reports that New Zealand international midfielder Matthew Garbett would return from injury at Brisbane Road appear to have been exaggerated.

Posh boss Luke Williams revealed at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon that Garbett is still receiving injections to combat a heel problem making him very doubtful for the trip to East London, and probably for upcoming games at home to Rotherham United on Tuesday (March 17) and at AFC Wimbledon on March 21.

Posh will definitely be without striker Harry Leonard, who is in the early stages of recovery following a hernia operation, as well as midfielder Ben Woods who has suffered a second calf tear, and centre-backs Sam Hughes and Tom Lees.

The one good piece of injury news is the return of left-back Harley Mills who has been absent with a hamstring injury since Posh beat Northampton Town in December. Another left-sided defender Jacob Mendy is also now fit.

Williams said: “Matty has some pressure in his heel and he is having injections to combat that. We need to see how his body reacts to those so we can start building him up to full training. It’s like trying to play with a nail in your boot. Matty played with it for three games before the pain became unbearable. He’s been very proactive about it and he will be playing football for Peterborough in the very near future.

"Ben Woods initially had a tear in his calf. He was working through that and well down his recovery path when he felt something else and that turned to be a new tear in a slightly different position. He’s now over that and well towards the end stage of his rehab, but he just needs to start full training before he plays.”

Posh are currently eight points clear of the relegation zone with 11 games to play.