Spanish lessons, 10-minute loan spells, and Peterborough United kids who now just want to kick on

And work has already started on getting the talented teenagers, plus a couple of 20 year-olds in Idris Kanu and Sam Cartwright, ready for action as first-team boss Darren Ferguson and Academy director Kieran Scarff have been training with a 10-strong group at the Nene Park Academy for a couple of weeks now.

The full first-team squad is due back on Monday (July 20) as Posh step up preparations for ‘Operation Vengeance,’ the provocative name given by co-owner Darragh MacAnthony to the 2020-21 League One campaign.

Some of the youngsters have been speaking about pre-season trainiwng, lockdown and what they hope to achieve next season.

KYLE BARKER

‘Frustration’ probably sums up this 19 year-old midfielder’s 2019-20 season, certainly the second half of it.

Barker, an accomplished passer of the ball, started three Leasing.com Trophy matches and came on as a substitute in the FA Cup third round defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.

He didn’t appear for Posh again as Ferguson strengthened his midfield in January with more experienced players and an eagerly-anticipated loan move to National League Wrexham didn’t work out great either, as he played just 10 minutes of a 3-0 defeat at Yeovil before lockdown.

“That was very frustrating,” Barker admitted. “Obviously you go on loan to play matches, but it was what it was and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

“My ambitions for next season are simple, to get into the first-team and stay there, and coming back early for training should help me and the rest of the lads.

“Lockdown was tough, especially at the start. I spent it with the family and once we could get out for walks and I could get out on the golf course it was much better.

“You do miss the lads though. You just have to get into a routine and follow the club’s programme.”

BOBBY COPPING

The ball-playing centre-back, signed from Bury last October, was satisfied with his 2019-20 season and he’s ready to kick on further in 2020-21.

“I made my first-team debut, the under 18s won their league and I was made to feel very welcome by everyone at the club,” Copping (18) stated.

“I was pleased with all that, but I want to kick on now though. I consider myself a ball-playing centre-back, one who likes to pick the ball up from the goalkeeper and start attacks. as well as one who wins tackles and headers and helps to keep clean sheets.”

Copping was due to go on loan at leading local non-league club Peterborough Sports when football was shut down.

SAM CARTWRIGHT

The powerfully-built centre-had a taste of first team football with two Leasing.com Trophy starts last season.

“It’s time to crack on now,” he confirmed. “Hopefully this season will be a good one for me and the club.

“Being able to tap into the expertise of the manager in a small group has to help and I’ve really enjoyed the training since we came back.

“I want a Football League debut next.

“Lockdown was quite tough, but it helps having a good family around you.

“I did try and learn some Spanish, but that didn’t go too well.”