Peterborough United manager expects to bounce back from one of the biggest disappointments of his career

But Ferguson will use that disappointment as motivation for what the club hope will be a promotion campaign in 2020-21.

The Posh boss welcomed his top young talent back for pre-season training today (July 6) after the club spent in the region of £50k on Covid-19 testing and proofing the training ground against the virus.

Idris Kanu, who is 20, and teenagers Serhat Tasdemir, Harrison Burrows, Kyle Barker, Bobby Copping, Flynn Clarke, Bradley Rolt, Sam Cartwright, Archie Jones and Ricky-Jade Jones are all expected to benefit from some expert one-to-one tuition from Ferguson.

Ferguson said: “It’s great to be back on the grass again. It was a great idea by the chairman to get the younger lads back in early to give them a headstart.

“When the decision to stop playing in League One was finally confirmed it hit me badly. It was a feeling similar to when we were relegated at Crystal Palace on the last day of the 2012-13 season.

“But it’s gone now and we will use the disappointment as motivation for next season.”

The rest of the Posh squad are expected back in training on July 20 when Ferguson is expected to name his new assistant manager.

Posh expect to start the new League One seasoon on September 12. League One clubs are scheduled to vote on a start date this week.