Peterborough United pair determined to get back into Darren Ferguson’s first-team plans

Cooper performed well on loan at promoted League Two side Plymouth Argyle last season, while Naismith was going well at Scottish Premier League outfit Hibernian when a serious knee injury stopped him in his tracks in January.

Both have a year remaining on their Posh contracts.

Posh director of football Barry Fry said: “George has had a conversation with (Posh boss) Darren Ferguson and told him he wants another crack at making it with us.

“And Darren is happy to give him that chance.

“George has had issues since we signed him, but he assured Darren they were in the past now and the reports we have had from Plymouth are that he was outstanding on and off the field.

“We watched him plenty of times and he certainly played well. He has plenty of ability, there is no doubt about that.

“The Plymouth manager wants to buy George, but they have no money and we won’t be letting him leave on a free transfer. If Plymouth did come up with an acceptable offer things could change, but for now he is with us.

“Jason has also stated he wants to gave a go with us so Darren has invited him to training when it starts again.

“It won’t be easy for Jason as we have two right-sided defenders (Niall Mason and Nathan Thompson) who did well last season, but he’s a good pro who insists he is close to full fitness again.

“Until the injury I would have put good money on Hibs signing him, but they paid decent money for a right-back after Jason picked up his injury.”

Cooper (23) was signed for a fee in the region of £200k when Grant McCann was Posh manager in January, 2018 and scored on his club debut against Oldham.

But he started just 16 games before joining Plymouth on loan at the start of last season when he contributed three goals in 31 appearances when playing mostly as a wing-back.

Naimisth (25) was signed from Ross County in June 2018 and played 50 games in his first season at the club, but the arrival of Mason and then Thompson persuaded Ferguson to let him leave.

Naismith played 14 times for Hibs last season.