Posh v Southend preview

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson welcomes back defender Tom Williams to his squad as they host Southend.

High-flying Posh looking to send Shrimpers packing

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson will welcome back defender Tom Williams to his squad as they host Southend. The Cyprus international has been ruled out since mid-January when he sustained a knee injury in the FA Cup defeat to West Brom but is likely to make the substitutes' bench against the Shrimpers. However, Ferguson received a double injury blow following the midweek victory over Carlisle. Midfielder Lee Frecklington faces a lengthy spell out with a pulled hamstring while defender Gabriel Zakuani is rated a major doubt after he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge. Zakuani's absence is likely to present Shane Blackett with the chance to prove himself in Ferguson's starting XI after he replaced the former Fulham defender in midweek.

Southend team news

Southend will be without influential striker Dougie Freedman for their daunting-looking game at London Road. Freedman is struggling with a thigh problem and has missed the last two matches. Fellow frontman Francis Laurent is also unavailable with a hamstring injury. The problem is not as severe as first believed but the Frenchman is unlikely to travel. Forward Lee Barnard should take his place and partner Theo Robinson in attack before he serves a one-match ban on Tuesday night. Barnard picked up his fifth caution of the campaign during the game against Scunthorpe in midweek and will miss the match against Millwall at Roots Hall. Southend's only other long-term absentees are strikers Alex Revell (broken leg) and James Walker (hamstring).