Peterborough United boss on facing an in-form Reading side and whether or not he will be making changes

Posh head into the match at home on Monday having picked up their fourth consecutive win, a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient on Boxing Day, sealed by Declan Frith in the last minute.

Reading thumped 10-man Plymouth 4-1 away at Home Park and have won their last two matches; Posh were 2-1 winners at the Select Car Leasing Stadium at the beginning of the month. The sides are currently level on 28 points but Reading sit two places higher in the table (11th) due to their superior goal difference.

Former Posh forward Jack Marriott has now returned to full fitness and has scored in their last two matches. He is Reading’s joint top-scorer, alongside Lewis Wing, in the league.

Williams is well aware of the threats Reading pose due to their recent meeting and his insisted that Posh must work hard to disrupt their opponents.

He said: "It was a very tough game at their place and it could have gone either way so we know what we’re in for. We should be confident going in because we are in good form but so will they. It is going to be a hell of a clash.

“They have a very strong technical side and can build well. If we’re not aggressive to disrupt them and don’t press with intelligence, they are going to move the ball round us very easily. They have a couple of proved goalscorers as well.”

Posh have no new injury concerns heading into the match but must make a decision on when to give players rest over the festive period considering they will only get two days break before travelling to Rotherham on New Year’s Day and must then hit the road again three days later to face high-flying Lincoln.

Williams has not revealed whether he is likely to make changes on Monday but highlighted the importance in the on-field relationships that he can now see building amongst his squad.

He added: “We need to rest and recover but also get out onto the grass and do some crucial pieces we need to work on.

“We are in a good place, there are a lot of connections on the pitch and good understanding between players but it is also a squad game. We have benefitted hugely from these connection and it has been great to see them develop in recent weeks.

“We have to keep our form going and have to take confidence from that to move forward. We’re going to be in a much better place if we have that consistency.

“I have got fantastic staff and conditioning team and they are giving me every bit of advice to help in my decisions.”

When asked about a potential return for Tom O’Connor, who has been back on the bench in the last two matches, he added: “Tom O’Connor is a fantastic player. He’s been great but there;s two guys in there doing really well and I don’t see a huge reason to rush Tom back or force him into the team. He;s ready to go and if we have any problems, he will be on the pitch.”

Struggling Port Vale sacked manager Darren Moore on Sunday evening with the side sitting ten points adrift of safety. Vale have not won any of their last 11 league matches and sit bottom of the table.