The need to win a game, any game, must be in the mind of manager Grant McCann, but he’s also consistently stated the League One campaign is all that matters this season.
Time constraints meant that Posh didn’t hold their usual pre-match press conference, but McCann did say: “This game is another opportunity to get minutes for players including Dan Butler, who will feature tonight, after playing nearly an hour for the under 21s at Sheffield United last week.
"We have two home games this week with the league game against Port Vale on Saturday and we obviously want to get wins under our belt.”
If the game is level after 90 minutes tonight, a penalty shootout will take place to determine who picks up a second point. Spurs lost their first group match at Wycombe on penalties after a 0-0 draw, while Posh were beaten 2-1 at home by Stevenage.
The PT would keep the bigger players back for the Vale game and we would select the following team in a 4-3-3 formation.
Ronnie Edwards and Joe Taylor are unavailable after being called up for international duty with England and Wales respectively.
9. JOEL RANDALL
The attacking midfielder still has much to prove and he might be running out of chances. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com
10. EPHRON MASON-CLARK
The transfer window signing is another who needs to play in his best position, as part of the front three. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com
11. RICKY-JADE JONES
It wasn't that long ago the teenager terrorised a League Two defence for 45 minutes in this competition. A repeat performance would do him good. There's an argument for playing Jack Marriott and getting him back into scoring form, but the youngsters should be given the chance to shine. Photo: Joe Dent
12. THE SUBSTITUES
It's seven substitutes tonight and five can be used like a normal League One match. I'd have some experience on the bench in case it's close and heading for a penalty shootout. Strikers Jack Marriott and Jonson Clarke-Harris (both pictured) can be joined by midfielders Jack Taylor and Jeando Fuchs and defenders Josh Knight and Charlie O'Connell. Will Lakin is our sub goalkeeper. Photo: Joe Dent