Posh star is playing through pain, teenager returns to the squad to face Blackpool and a Jack Taylor update

Dembele has had a back problem in recent weeks and there were times in the first-half at Rochdale on Saturday when he looked to be struggling for mobility. He stayed on for 90 minutes though and was running more freely at the end of a game in which he scored and created a goal for Sammie Szmodics.

Dembele will be a key man as Posh attempt to unlock Blackpool’s mean defence in a key League One fixture at Bloomfield Road tomorrow (March 23, 7pm kick off).

Szmodics and teenager Harrison Burrows are also expected to be fit after recent injury concerns.

Ferguson said: “Siriki has had some pain, but I expect him to be fine for the game at Blackpool. Sammie and Harrison are also fit and well.

“Sammie getting 60 minutes at Rochdale was one of the bonuses from a disappointing result at Rochdale as was a first goal in five games from Jonson Clarke-Harris. The front three all scored which hadn’t happened before this season so that’s good as well.

“We can’t ignore what happened at Rochdale, but we have moved on. We spoke at length in the dressing room after the game. The players know where I stand and now it’s about staying positive for the final 11 games.”

Burrows missed the 3-3 draw at Rochdale when Posh led 2-0 at half-time, but needed a 93rd minute penalty to grab a point, with a hamstring issue.

Szmodics has recovered from an ankle injury which kept him out of the recent win over Portsmouth.

The only senior player absent tmorrow is star midfielder Jack Taylor. He has had a second scan on his hamstring issue which showed he is progressing nicely. Taylor is expected to return early next month.