Peterborough United's defensive resources are likely to be significantly reduced for their upcoming League One match at Stockport County. Several important players have been selected for their national teams, creating a possible problem for manager Darren Ferguson.
Josh Feeney, a centre-back on loan from Aston Villa, has been chosen for the Scotland Under-21 team. Defender David Okagbue is anticipated to join the Republic of Ireland squad, and midfielder Harry Ashfield is a reserve option for the Wales Under-21 side.
Defensive shortage
Current injuries add to the difficulty. James Dornelly was absent from the recent Carabao Cup victory over Barnsley due to a calf problem, and it is unclear if Tom O'Connor and Carl Johnston will be fit. This may result in young players Lucca Mendonca, Evan Weir, and Harley Mills being the main defensive choices available. Young full-back Noah Freeman is also probable to join the matchday group.
This occurs as the team aims to climb from their low position in the league table, having earned a small number of points from their initial games. Their recent performances, featuring a high-scoring draw with Barnsley, have produced a low points average per match. The squad's next priority is a home game against Doncaster, which is seen as an important encounter. Ferguson desires a good outcome to gain confidence before possibly having to alter his defense for the subsequent match at Stockport.
Fixture rules
Regulations allow for a match postponement when a club has a specific number of players called for international duty. Peterborough's fixture against Notts County has already been rescheduled for this cause. A game involving Stockport's opponents has also been postponed due to international selections.
Even with the worries about defense, the club anticipates the Stockport match will be played on the planned date. The possible missing players will test the team's defensive resources during a demanding spell.
This story first appeared at Peterborough Telegraph
