Posh expecting Burton to be as tough as Hull and Portsmouth as Mo Eisa gets set to start

Ferguson’s focus is all on the trip to the Pirelli Stadium. He is thinking about freshening up a side that has won eight of their last 11 matches, but not with a view to resting players for the forthcoming games against Hull (March 9) and Portsmouth (March 16).

Midfield ace Jack Taylor has already been ruled out for the next five weeks with a hamstring injury, while top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris is a doubt for tomorrow’s game against in-form opponents with an ankle problem.

Ferguson hasn’t revealed the names of two other players currently carring niggles, but there could be a rare starting opportunity for Mo Eisa, Harrison Burrows and Idris Kanu tomorrow. Eisa replaced the suspended Ivan Toney at Burton last season and scored in a 1-1 draw.

Ferguson said: “I have some decisions to make for tomorrow. I have an honest bunch of players who will tell me if they are 100% fit and I have data and numbers to tell me that as well. We trust each other.

“I have been pleased with how strong we have looked at the end of matches. We have been running all over teams at times, but nothing is foolproof as Jack Taylor’s injury came out of nowhere.

“I am only looking at Burton right now. I have to work out a way how we can beat them over 95 minutes. I won’t think about Hull until Sunday morning.

“Tomorrow is a tough game. They are only a point behind us over the last six matches. They have really got on a roll lately. They are well drilled, full of energy and they will be a tough nut to crack on a small, tight pitch.

“We will need to play as well as we have in our recent games to get a result tomorrow. We will have to match their workrate and energy and then hope our ability can come through and win the game.

“We know what we want to do against them. We will have more than one plan of attack as always, but first of all we need to match their energy and running and pick up our share of second balls. We have to earn the right to play. We know their strengths, but we will take the game to them.”