High-flying Peterborough without suspended Thompson against Southend

Posted Monday, February 10, 2020 by PA

In-form Peterborough will be without defender Nathan Thompson through suspension for the Sky Bet League One match against strugglers Southend.

Thompson was sent off during Posh’s 4-0 win over Oxford on Saturday, so will serve a one-match ban.

Full-back Frazer Blake-Tracy has been sidelined since Boxing Day with an ankle problem, but is closing in on a return, while forward Idris Kanu is stepping up his recovery from a fractured eye socket.

Darren Ferguson’s side maintained their promotion push against Oxford with a fifth straight win, keeping them one point behind second-placed Wycombe.

Southend boss Sol Campbell is again likely to have to send out a patched-up side as his depleted squad battle to stay in League One.

Defender John White (broken arm) and Harry Phillips (knee) are both set for extended spells on the sidelines.

Timothee Dieng and Sam Mantom came back from their recent injury lay-offs to go straight into the side for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Blackpool, so should be involved again.

Forward Stephen Humphrys – who recovered from a serious facial injury last season – continues to be assessed after taking a blow to his nose against Doncaster a fortnight ago.