Peterborough United boss Luke Williams has told players on the fringes of his squad they need to take their opportunities over the next few games.
Posh suffered a number of problems during their bad-tempered game against Plymouth Argyle at the Weston Homes Stadium last weekend.
Peter Kioso was sent off during the 1-0 defeat, and Tom O’Connor limped off with a possible hamstring injury just after Bim Pepple put the Pilgrims ahead.
Harry Leonard was also injured. He landed badly on his neck during a mid-air challenge and was whisked to hospital in a neck brace for scans. He has since posted a message on social media reassuring fans that he is okay.
Posh’s problems are compounded by players with long term injuries. David Okagbue, Harley Mills, Jacob Mendy, and Ben Woods are all on the treatment table. Club captain Sam Hughes is still recovering from his long layoff.
Goalkeeper Nick Bilokapic was due to be on the bench for the game against Plymouth, but missed it after falling ill during the week.
Williams chose to put a positive spin on things, saying that these absences give other squad members a chance to stake their claim.
‘You could say we have difficulties or alternatively I’d look at it and say that we have an opportunity to see different players on the pitch,’ he told the Peterborough Telegraph.
‘We have guys scoring for fun in the second team, we have players desperate for minutes, who train brilliantly every day, come knocking at my door and ask when their opportunity is going to come and what they need to do.
‘Well, they are about to step up, if we have players side-lined. Myself and my coaching staff have tried to do our best to keep everybody prepped and ready so when their opportunity comes they feel ready, so let’s see.’
