Peterborough United boss calls on his squad players to back up their bids for minutes as issues mount

Posh travel to Adams Park - a traditionally unhappy hunting ground - to face Michael Duff’s side, but could be without three key players.

Peter Kioso will definitely be absent on Saturday as he serves a one-match for his red card in the weekend Plymouth defeat and Tom O’Connor and Harry Leonard are also unlikely to feature.

O’Connor limped off in the first half against Plymouth, while Harry Leonard fell awkwardly on his neck after being barged in mid-air. He was taken to hospital but released quickly on Saturday evening. He released a message to reassure fans that he was okay, but remains a doubt to be thrust straight into action.

Substitute goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic missed the Plymouth game due to his preparation being affected by illness earlier in the week.

Posh are also dealing with the longer-term absences of David Okagbue, Harley Mills, Jacob Mendy and Ben Woods.

Instead of looking on the negative side of potentially mounting issues, Williams has challenged those members of his squad who have been pushing to be given an opportunity to prove why they deserve it, should they be called upon.

Williams said: “You could say we have difficulties or alternatively I’d look at it and say that we have an opportunity to see different players on the pitch.

“We have guys scoring for fun in the second team, we have players desperate for minutes, who train brilliantly every day, come knocking at my door and ask when their opportunity is going to come and what they need to do.

“Well, they are about to step up, if we have players sidelined. Myself and my coaching staff have tried to do our best to keep everybody prepped and ready so when their opportunity comes they feel ready, so let’s see.”