Peterborough United manager believes his players are still fresh and full of energy despite the relentless nature of League One, but changes will be made soon

Six Posh players - Mark Beevers, Dan Butler, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Frankie Kent, Christy Pym and Nathan Thompson - have started all nine League One games so far this season.

That wouldn’t normally be an issue, but with so many midweek fixtures in a hectic schedule it soon might be.

Ferguson has one eye on the FA Cup tie at Oxford United, provisionally scheduled for November 7, and the EFL Trophy game at Cambridge United three days later as a chance to rest some players.

Before then Posh host a well-organised Shrewsbury side on Saturday (October 31) before travelling to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday (November 3).

Ferguson remarked how leggy right-back Thompson looked before he was substituted late on in Tuesday’s home draw with Burton Albion.

“League One is always relentless,” Ferguson stated. “But more so than ever this season due to the run of Tuesday matches.

“Our energy levels are still good. The players are still relatively fresh, but managing players is going to be a challenge this season.

“I believe we have managed them well between games so far, but those players currently not playing much know they are certain to get their chance. Everyone will be needed this season.

“Nathan did look a bit tired on Tuesday, but he’s been outstanding do far this season.”

Club record signing Mo Eisa has not seen a minute of League One action since the 2-1 win over Fleetwood Town on September 19, the second game of the season, but Ferguson is unlikely to make changes for the visit of a durable Shrewsbury team.

Niall Mason would replace Thompson if he was rested.

Ferguson added: “Every League One match is hard to win as Burton proved on Tuesday.

“It will be a different test against Shrewsbury, but it will also be another difficult one,

“They are not in the best of form, but then neither were Burton so we expect to have to be at our best to win.

“It is always about us and the tempo we play at, but we also have to recognise the threats of the opposition.

“They have been playing 4-3-3 and they have experienced forwards in Leon Clarke and Jason Cummings. I like Ollie Norburn in midfield as well.

“But we need to start another winning run to make sure we are still in a decent position when we do get a little break after two important games.”

Cummings, who enjoyed an outstanding start to his Posh career in 2018 with six goals in his first six games on loan from Nottingham Forest, missed Tuesday’s defeat at Fleetwood with an illness unrelated to Covid, but he is due back on Saturday.

Ferguson once tried to sign Norburn for Posh.