Peterborough United respect Sunderland, but they don’t fear them ahead of Saturday’s big game at the Stadium of Light

Following on from last weekend’s dramatic 2-1 win over much-fancied Fleetwood Town, Posh travel to the Stadium Of Light for another early clash with a club expected to be in the promotion shake-up come next May.

Indeed, according to the bookmakers, Sunderland are the clear favourites to win the Sky Bet League One title, with Posh just on their shoulders.

So does Ferguson see this clash as a chance to lay down an early marker for his own team’s title chances?

“I wouldn’t say so,” said the Posh boss. “In the early part of the season I don’t tend to look at the league table and won’t do for a long while yet.

“At the start of the season you can get some inconsistencies, perhaps in selection or in what you are looking for.

“We improved last Saturday from the Accrington game on the opening day, and I feel like the character and desire we showed against one of our possible rivals at the weekend was very important. That first win will kick us on.

“This Saturday will be another tough game as we know, but they all can be like that, it is a competitive league.

“Sunderland have started well, got a good win last week and they have an abundance of possibilities up front.

“We won’t be fearing them, we will respect them and we will go there hoping to win the game.”

While Sammie Szmodics was scoring a last-gasp winner for Posh against Fleetwood, the Black Cats were easing to an impressive 2-0 win at Oxford United.

It was a first league win for Phil Parkinson’s men, who had drawn their opening match at the Stadium of Light, 1-1 with Bristol Rovers.

And although Ferguson is anticipating a difficult afternoon in the north east, he is confident his team will cause Sunderland a few headaches as well.

“They have a very experienced group of players and they have an experienced management team in Phil and Steve (Parkin),” said the Posh manager. “They do a good job. The expectations at Sunderland never change, especially in this league.

“They have been at this level for three years and they want to get out of League One.

“It is not easy to get out of this league, and it will be a tough game for both teams I think.”

Posh will go into the weekend on a high themselves after those stoppage time goals from Jack Taylor and Szmodics turned what was looking like being a frustrating defeat into a glorious victory.

So has there been an extra spring in everybody’s step this week?

“I would say there has,” said Ferguson. “Everyone was lively and bubbly on Monday.

“It always helps when you win a game, particularly in the manner that we achieved it. It was a happy dressing room.”

Posh could have a fully fit squad to pick at Sunderland.

On-loan midfielder Reece Brown returns to the fray after his brush with Covid-19, and Idris Kanu and Bobby Copping, who both had to self-isolate because they lived with another Covid sufferer Siriki Dembele, will be available also.

The only injury doubt is over defender Frazer Blake-Tracy. Blake-Tracy has yet to play this term due to a hamstring strain.

Dembele is expected to start at Sunderland ahead of Mo Eisa.