The stakes are high as Peterborough United approach the biggest game of the season

It’s a game that could make the difference between automatic promotion and the play-offs for both teams.

Defeat would virtually wreck Posh chances of a top two finish and also put at risk their chance of finishing in the top six.

“Losing would make things very awkward for us,” Ferguson stated. “We could feasibly be a fair way behind three teams.

“And yet if we win, we will definitely overtake Portsmouth and we will definitely overtake Wycombe who don’t have a game this weekend.

“There is no point in trying to downplay the match. It is what it is and everyone knows that. It’s a massive match.

“The stakes are obviously high for both sides, but I am really looking forward to the game and I want my players to relish the opportunity rather than be nervous about it.

“We should be excited. We are playing a big club who will bring 2,000-2,500 fans with them, but our fans will be more than a match for them so the atmosphere will be electric.

“We are in decent form. Our home form has been excellent all season and we have Ivan Toney, the best player in League One, back in action and he will be fresh and raring to go.

“It’s going to be another fantastic occasion between these clubs like the one at the end of last season when both teams needed to win and delivered a great game.

“We were fortunate enough to win that one and there’s no reason why we can’t win this one as well.”

Toney returns after a two-game suspension during which Posh picked up just one point and dropped to eighth in the table.