Peterborough United boss insists management has never been so challenging as he prepares for tough trip to Sunderland with a fully fit squad, defender plays first game for eight months

The impact of the coronavirus crisis continues to be felt by lower division clubs with Ferguson predicting some won’t survive without a financial bailout.

Covid-19 is also impacting pre-match preparations and the games themselves which are taking place in near silence because of a fan ban which could now stretch to next March.

Posh are at Sunderland for a League One fixture on Saturday (September 26, 3pm) which would normally attract over 30,000 fans to the Stadium of Light.

“You want to be going to Sunderland to play in front of 30,000 fans,” Ferguson insisted. “Football is a passionate sport. Playing without supporters is just weird, but it’s just one more thing we all have to get used to.

“I don’t think having an empty Stadium of Light will necessarily benefit us either. There’s no advantage for either side as all players and staff are missing a proper football atmosphere.

“Obviously the ramifications of no fans in grounds are serious. Without a bailout I can see many clubs struggling to survive. I am fearful for the game if helpd isn’t forthcoming.

“Management has become very challenging. The National League hasn’t started yet which is a problem because I need to get some younger players out on loan to that level, hosting video meetings with players is now a problem as we can’t get them all into the same room.

“We are having to travel to away games a bit later than we’d normally like to cut down on the amount of time we spend at hotels and we have to watch what we say on the touchline as every word can be heard.

“But we can’t use any of this an an excuse. It’s the same for every team. At the end of the day we will all adjust and the best teams will come out on top and I am confident we will be one of them.

“Even without fans it’s a great game to look forward to on Saturday. It’s a tough game against a team certain to be up there challenging at the end of the season, but it’s one we are looking forward to.”

Posh could be at full strength on Saturday with Ricky-Jade Jones and Niall Mason both shrugging off knocks picked up in a midweek friendly defeat against Boreham Wood.

On-loan midfielder Reece Brown played in that game and will return to the squad after his brush with Covid-19. Defendcer Frazer Blake-Tracy is fit after recovering from a hamstring issue. Midfielder Louis Reed, who was taken off the transfer list, this week will also be involved.

Transfer-listed full-back Jason Naismith played for an hour against Boreham Wood. His first action since damaging knee ligaments when on loan at Hibernian last season.