Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson on Siriki Dembele, EFL Covid tests, injury updates and Lincoln City

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has told Siriki Dembele the best way to get the transfer he desires is to deliver match-winning performances for Posh.
Siriki Dembele in action for Posh.Siriki Dembele in action for Posh.
Siriki Dembele in action for Posh.

Dembele rocked Posh yesterday (January 4) by handing in a written transfer request. The 24 year-old attacker wants a move for as yet unspecified personal reasons.

Ferguson insists Dembele will be in his matchday squad for a big game at League One table-toppers Lincoln City on Saturday (January 5), providing there are no issues with his attitude.

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It looks like Posh would sell Dembele during the January transfer window if the right offer arrived, but they are also comfortable with keeping him at the Weston Homes Stadium until the end of the season.

Dembele has attracted interest from Scottish sides Rangers and Celtic as well as West Brom and Fulham of the Premier League and Championship clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest.

Ferguson, who is not happy news of the transfer request leaked out, said: “If Siriki’s attitude is right he will stay involved and he has trained very well every day recently. He’s causing me no issues at the moment and as long it stays like that he will be in the squad at Lincoln.

“I’m not getting too involved in the transfer business. Others will sort that out. This club has always been the same. If we get the right offer a player can leave, but if we don’t get a good offer he stays and we could keep Siriki for another 18 months.

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“This is not a new situation for me or the club. It happens from time to time, although I’m not comfortable with the fact the transfer request became public.

“Siriki needs to follow Ivan Toney’s lead. He gave us no problems at all when we didn’t let him go last January. Siriki just needs to play well again because if he gets up to his best form every club will be interested in him. He’s that good.

“The reason he is in League One right now is his inconsistency.”

Posh hosted an in-house friendly match on Saturday and all the players came through unscathed.

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The squad also all passed the Covid tests organised by the EFL yesterday so Saturday’s game at Sincil Bank should go ahead. Lincoln manager Michael Appleton has been self-isolating recently, but there are no reports of any Imps players testing positive.

Defender Dan Butler and forward Ricky-Jade Jones should be back in the Posh squad after injury, but the game will come too soon for wideman Joe Ward.