PREVIEW: Words from both bosses as Peterborough United travel to Bristol Rovers in season opener

Both sides have a chance to improve on dismal recent records in the Carabao Cup at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday (August 8, 3pm).

Posh have not advanced past the first round in the League Cup in seven of the last nine seasons.

Posh will not have any new faces in the side for the long trip and will likely have to rely on youth to fill the bench. 18-year-old Ejiro Abbey appears in line to be named in a senior squad for the first time with Posh only having three wingers available to them.

Declan Frith and George Nevett will miss the game through injury, while Williams told the media on Thursday that both Sam Hughes and Tom O’Connor were ‘ready’ to play some part in the game.

Both managers went out of their way to praise their opposition in their press conferences with Williams calling Steve Evans’ side League One ready already.

LUKE WILLIAMS

He said: “Steve is a ferocious competitor, we know that. We have so much respect for him here. We know the club are really serious in League Two and are going to challenge. This Bristol Rovers team could probably already compete in League One.

"We’re not expecting anything other than a tough game against a team with a very experienced manager and a very well organised group of players.”

STEVE EVANS

The Rovers boss thanked Luke Williams for his praise but heaped the pressure straight back over by stating that Posh would kick off a League Two season right now the clear favourites for the league, showing the difference between the sides.

He said: “I think it's a good game for us and a good game for Posh. I've been there, I know what the expectations are. I’ve read the manager’s words closely this week and he’s said they are expecting to win promotion. If you work for Darragh MacAnthony then you’re expected to challenge for promotion, I think I was in the play-offs and he sacked me!

“He's demanding and his expectations are high, you should never knock that.

“If Peterborough United were kicking off next Saturday in League Two, they would be the outstanding favourites to win promotion. There is the difference in the teams. It wouldn’t be Salford, a lot of their lads wouldn’t get in the Posh team.

“This is a real good test for us, it is a team that will finish as they normally do- apart from last season- in the top ten of League One. It will be a challenge to see if we can be at that level.”

FAMILIAR FACES

Both Jack Sparkes and Ryan De Havilland are in the Rovers team but Sparkes is battling an injury, making De Havilland to most likely to face his former side.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

David Rock has been given the whistle for Posh’s opening game. He last refereed Posh in the 1-1 draw away at Northampton in February.