Peterborough United manager confident Marriott will stay at London Road

​Chairman Darragh MacAnthony revealed on the latest edition of his 'Hard Truth’ podcast the 28 year old was attracting plenty of interest ahead of next Tuesday’s January transfer window deadline.

But Ferguson is expecting a quiet few days at London Road with very little transfer activity.

"I’ve had several honest conversations with Jack,” Ferguson said. “We get on well and there’s a mutual respect.

"I respect his wish to play more regularly, but I strongly believe he will be with us for the rest of the season and he will play an important part in our promotion bid.

"Usually you get wind of impending bids for players, but I have heard nothing this month, about Jack or anyone.

"There has been plenty of clubs wanting to take Jack on loan, but that won’t happen.

"And if he is here I have no doubt he will get his head down and give his all in training and in matches.

"Jack is a good player, one of many I have at the club, but I can only pick 11 to start and 18 for a squad. I have to make tough decisions all the time

"I can’t give any player guarantees, but the only way Jack doesn’t get some games is if we go on a ridiculous run and win every match we play without picking up any injuries and that doesn’t happen very often.”

Goalkeeper Will Norris and left-back Nathanael Ogbeta are the two January signings so far for Posh, on loan from Burnley and Swansea respectively.

MacAnthony also revealed Posh are in the market for a centre-back, but only if they can persuade Newcastle United to end the loan of inured centre-back Kell Watts to free up some cash.

Posh have lost ground in the League One play-off race in the last week through no fault of their own.

They can close the gap to the top six to two points if they beat in-form Portsmouth at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick off).

​

More on Marriott page 83.

Posh transfer news page 81 and pages 83-85.

Posh Pompey preview pages 86-87.