Tom O'Connor in line for Peterborough United comeback at Bromley but Matt Garbett is struggling

The defender limped off less than 15 minutes into the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on September 5 and has missed the last nine games following a groin injury.

He has been involved two Under 21s games in recent weeks and is now back in contention for the first team for this weekend’s trip to Bromley.

It it yet to be seen if the expected return of O’Connor will be on the bench or if Savage will break up the Lucca Mendonca and Josh Feeney partnership, which has played the last three games.

Posh have received a further boost at centre-back with Sam Hughes successfully coming through his a half an hour appearance in his first game back after 15 months out in Wednesday’s U21s game against Sheffield United. The match at the club’s training ground finished 2-2.

He will continue to build up his fitness in the coming weeks and Saturday’s trip to Hayes Lane will come far too soon. Another player who may also miss out is Matt Garbett, with Posh needing to monitor a knock he took to his knee in his substitute appearance at Huddersfield on Tuesday night.

Speaking on Thursday, Savage said: “Tom O’Connor is fit and ready for selection, which is good.

"If we can get all our centre-halves fit we’ll have Evan, Sam, Feeney, Lucca and Tom, we’ll be in a great position. We can score goals and create chances as a team and if we can keep the backdoor shut and keep clean sheets, we will win loads of games.

"It’ll be huge to have Tom and Sam back with all the experience, leadership and decision-making they bring. They are leaders and can contribute, as everybody can, to this group.”

He added: “Garbs is struggling. He had a knock on his knee so we will have to assess him.