PREVIEW: Plenty at stake for Callum in the final two matches

For Callum Chettle at least there is still plenty to play for in the final two matches of the League One season.
Callum Chettle in  action for Posh at AFC Wimbledon.Callum Chettle in  action for Posh at AFC Wimbledon.
Callum Chettle in action for Posh at AFC Wimbledon.

Posh might be floundering in mid-table ahead of the final home game of the season against play-off hopefuls Bristol Rovers, but there’s a lot at stake for Chettle.

The 20 year-old has been boosted by manager Grant McCann’s confirmation that he is part of his plans for next season and he’s determined to play a bigger role in 2017-18.

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Chettle’s only two League One starts of this season arrived over the Easter weekend. They were his first appearances of any sort in 2017.

Posh centre-back Jack Baldwin could return after illness to face Bristol Rovers.Posh centre-back Jack Baldwin could return after illness to face Bristol Rovers.
Posh centre-back Jack Baldwin could return after illness to face Bristol Rovers.

“It has been frustrating at times,” Chettle, who arrived at Posh from non-league Nuneaton in January, 2016, said. “But I’ve always felt the manager had faith in me.

“Whenever he speaks to me he drills into me that I’m still young and that I am very much part of his plans which is great to hear.

“He tells me he rates me and I want to justify his faith by kicking on next season.

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“I was a full-time player at Nuneaton, but the training is a lot harder at Posh obviously. This is my first season at this level and I know where I have to improve.

Posh centre-back Ryan Tafazolli might not play again this season.Posh centre-back Ryan Tafazolli might not play again this season.
Posh centre-back Ryan Tafazolli might not play again this season.

“I need to contribute more in terms of goals and assists and that’s something I will work on for next season.

“For now I just want to play in these last two matches to get more confidence about my ability to play at this level. The more games I get under my belt the better.

“I know this club’s reputation for developing young players, but I don’t see the club as a stepping stone at all.

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“I want to help the club back into the Championship where it belongs and where the manager and chairman are determined to take it.

Posh centre-back Jack Baldwin could return after illness to face Bristol Rovers.Posh centre-back Jack Baldwin could return after illness to face Bristol Rovers.
Posh centre-back Jack Baldwin could return after illness to face Bristol Rovers.

“Not that I’ve had many appearances, but the one at Wimbledon was my best for the club. We had to stand up to them and play like men, and we did.”

Posh hope to have centre-back Jack Baldwin back in action against Rovers. He missed the Easter games because of illness.

Centre-back Ryan Tafazolli is not expected to play again this season because of a groin problem, while midfielder Martin Samuelsen is understood to have returned to parent club West Ham United.

Teenagers Lewis Freestone and Andrea Borg should be in the squad.