TRANSFER TALK: Posh face a battle to get loan stars to return to the ABAX

Posh have approached West Ham United and Leicester City about bringing midfielder Martin Samuelsen and left-back Callum Elder back to the ABAX Stadium next season.

But Fry fears both will be sent out to Championship clubs to aid their development.

Elder is out of contract at the King Power Stadium in June, but Leicester have offered the 22 year-old a year extension to his contract. Fry expects the Premier League champions to send Elder out on loan if he signs the new deal.

Fry said: “Grant McCann wants both players back, but Premier League clubs tend to like their players to go to Championship sides.

“West Ham did me a favour last season by sending Martin to us when he could have played higher.

“We’ve asked West Ham to send Martin back to us if they decide to send him out on loan again. Martin enjoyed it here last season. He got on well with the rest of the lads, but he did get frustrated at his lack of game time.

“But Grant is adamant he would use him far more regularly. He sees him as a serious talent and would play Martin where he needs to play and that’s further up the field where he could do most damage with his skills and quick feet. He would be far more involved next season for sure.

“Grant has spoken to Martin as I have. Grant told him not to waste a season sitting on the bench at a Championship club.

“We’ve both been speaking to Callum as well. His situation is a little different as he has yet to sign the one-year extension to his contract that Leicester have offered.

“If he does it’s likely Leicester would loan him out and we are definitely interested. Callum and Leicester are happy with that arrangement, but I know Championship clubs have enquired about him and that could be an issue for us.

“Callum hasn’t played for six months after picking up an injury playing with us and we missed him badly.

“When he left us we tried many players at left-back and none were in the same class. Callum’s pace and energy were very useful with the style of play we like to employ.

“Callum has gone to Australia for a couple of weeks now, but he left knowing how keen we are to sign him again. We need a left back desperately and he is our number one target.”

Samuelsen (19) made 20 appearances for Posh last season, but only started nine games in five months at the club. He scored twice, including a a spectacular winning goal at Sheffield United in January, a goal that won a prize from Posh supporters. He delivered an outstanding display live on BBC one when Posh were knocked out of the FA Cup at the ABAX Stadium by Premier League West Brom in February.

Elder (21) played 21 times for Posh last season before suffering a serious ankle injury in a defeat at Blackpool in December. That injury required a season-ending operation, He scored one goal and was generally outstanding during the best run of Posh form of the season.

Fry expects to welcome a new left-sided centre-back to the ABAX Stadium next week. The as yet unnamed player will become McCann’s second signing as manager after right-back Hayden White. McCann is currently in Ireland working on his coaching badges.

“We have done a deal with the player,” Fry added. “It’s not done and dusted until he actually signs, but he’s promised to do that just when he returns from holiday.”

Fry also revealed released Posh strikers Kyle Vassell and Souleymane Coulibaly have been holding transfer talks with League Two side Crawley and Scottish League side Kilmarnock respectively.

Posh have turned down bids for a couple of players still under contract.