PREVIEW: PETERBOROUGH v IPSWICH (KOC)

PETERBOROUGH’S revised line-up faces a huge test in the Premiership KO Cup tonight (Monday) when they host Ipswich with a place in the Final at stake.

The Witches lead by 24 points from the first leg way back in May but the Panthers now have a much-changed team including the shock weekend signing of Artem Laguta, who comes in at No.1.

Sheffield have already qualified for the Final and await the overall winners, and Ipswich hand an opportunity to Ashton Boughen at reserve to replace the injured Dan Thompson.

Panthers manager Rob Lyon said: “We know we need a big performance on Monday to pull that score back against Ipswich, and with their top boys it’s going to be difficult.

“But at least we’ve got a side which appears very strong ourselves now, so although it’s a massive task you never say never.

“First and foremost we have to concentrate on the win, because that’s always good for morale, and then like last week (against Sheffield), the aggregate is something you focus on if you’re in that position to do so.”

Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “We have done very well at Peterborough this season and we go there with a massive lead, but we can’t go there looking to defend the lead. We have got to go there looking to do as much as we can to win the meeting and then hopefully the lead should be enough.

“They are a lot stronger team now and they are in better form, and we have got to be wary of that and not relax too much and switch off.”

PETERBOROUGH: Artem Laguta, Chris Harris, Vadim Tarasenko, Benjamin Basso, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Ben Cook, Jordan Jenkins.
IPSWICH: Emil Sayfutdinov, Erik Riss, Danny King, Kenyan Rew, Jason Doyle, Danyon Hume, Ashton Boughen.