Peterborough United face a recent bogey team whose manager is confident of causing another upset despite the absence of several key players

Posh haven’t beaten the Shrews in their last four meetings, three of them since Ricketts took charge. The manager has won two of his three matches against Posh and he was only a minute and a mad goalmouth scramble away from winning the drawn game as well.

But Ricketts has a healthy regard for the current Posh team. He said: “They are a team I’d tip to do very well this year. They are a lot of people’s favourites to win the league.

“They’ve got good individuals but the match is something to look forward to. I enjoy plying the so-called better teams in the league.”

Shrews have nine senior players absent tomorrow including experienced striker Leon Clarke, while former Posh loanee Jason Cummings is a doubt because of a non-Covid illness.

SHREWS ODDS AND SODS

SHREWS SQUAD

Shrewsbury pulled off the surprise signing of left-back Charlie Daniels last week. The 34 year-old has been without a club since leaving Bournemouth at the end of last season after making over 100 top-flight appearances for the Cherries.

Before signing for the Shrews Daniels hasn’t played since a Premier League game against Manchester City in August, 2019. Daniels has signed a short-term contract.

Shrews have also signed veteran winger Marc Pugh on a free transfer. The former Bournemouth star played at Fleetwood on Tuesday 11 years after his last appearance for the club.

Former Posh striker Jason Cummings has yet to score a League One goal this season and missed the Fleetwood game with a non-Covid illness. Well-travelled 35 year-old centre forward Leon Clarke has scored once.

PAST MATCHES

Ivan Toney was sent off against a former club the last time Posh hosted Shrewsbury at London Road in February, 2019.

Toney walked in the first-half after punching a goalbound header off the line. Shrewsbury scored the penalty and went on to complete a come-from-behind 2-1 win despite having Ollie Norburn sent off midway through the second half. Jason Naismith scored his only Posh goal in this game.

Posh: O’Malley, Naismith, Denton, Tafazolli, White, Woodyard, Dempsey, Ward, Maddison, Tomlin, Toney. Subs used: Reed, Godden, Stevens.

Posh have won 12 and lost seven of 26 home Football League matches against Shrewsbury.

FORM GUIDE

Despite trying to play more expansively this season, Shrewsbury have lost their last three League One matches, all by a single goal, to slip into the bottom four.

Their 1-0 defeat at Fleetwood was a first away from home this season after a win at Wimbledon and creditable draws at Portsmouth and Plymouth.

Shrewsbury have scored the fewest goals (5) in League One.

BIG MATCH ODDS (Sky Bet)

Posh to win: 7/10

Shrews to win: 19/5

Draw: 5/2.