Peterborough United confirm Peterborough Telegraph story re six released players and the departure of the club’s loan players

Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph last month that all six players out of contract at the end of June - Rhys Bennett, Callum Cooke, Alex Woodyard, Marcus Maddison, Aaron Chapman and Conor O’Malley - would leave the Weston Homes Stadium.

Posh had options of an extra year on midfielders Woodyard and Cooke which they declined to take take up. Goalkeeper O’Malley intends to quit professional football.

On-loan players Sammie Szmodics, Reece Brown and Josh Knight have returned to their parent clubs after successful spells at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Posh will listen to offers for star striker Ivan Toney who enters the last year of his contract.

Ferguson also said no other prize assets will be sold meaning the likes of Frankie Kent and Sirki Dembele will remain at the club for a 2020-21 season dubbed ‘Operation Vengeance’ by MacAnthony.

Reduced finances might persuade Posh to place fringe players like Louis Reed and George Cooper on the transfer list.

Cooper, who was on loan at promoted League Two side Plymouth in the 2019-20 season, has for now returned to Posh along with Jason Naismith and Mark O’Hara who had been on loan at Hibernian and Motherwell respectively.

Plymouth retain an interest in signing Cooper, but admit finances could be a problem.