Peterborough United back to full strength for tough trip and goal-machine Stevens told to stay patient

Winger Ward missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Gillingham because of a family illness and on-loan centre-back White was absent because of an ankle injury.

“Joe is back training so things have improved at home,” Posh boss Darren Ferguson said. “And I expect Ben to be training again on Thursday.”

Prolific reserve team goalscorer Matty Stevens is expected to again sit on the substitutes’ bench. He scored his 23rd goal of the season in a 5-2 defeat at Forest Green today (April 9). Morgan Penfold also scored for an inexperienced Posh team.

“Matty has done all that’s been asked of him,” Ferguson admitted. “But he just has to stay patient as if we keep playing with the current system he has to get past two very good players in Ivan Toney and Matt Godden.

“He seems to score every time he plays which is a good habit to have and time is on his side.”

Stevens (21) signed a contract extension earlier this year keeping him at Posh until 2021.

His presence on the Posh substitutes’ bench every week satisfies the Football League rule of one homegrown player in a matchday squad.