Massive injury blows for Posh as star midfielder out for five weeks, top scorer is a doubt for Saturday and teenager ruled out for the season

Taylor missed last night’s (March 2) goalless draw at Oxford United after picking up a hamstring injury in the final moments of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Wigan.

That injury has now been assessed and a tendon issue has been diagnosed. Taylor suffered a similar injury in the final game of last season’s shortened campaign which could have kept him out of the rest of that campaign.

Top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris is also rated a slight doubt for Saturday’s game at Burton after picking up an ankle injury at Oxford. Teenager Flynn Clarke has been ruled out for the season with a hip injury.

On the bright side Ethan Hamilton stepped in for Taylor at Oxford and delivered a man-of-the-match display.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson said; “Losing Jack is quite a blow for us. He’s a very good player. He felt something in his hamstring late on against Wigan and we had him scanned on Sunday when a tendon problem was discovered.

“Something similar happened last season so we will have to dig deeper into the injury to make sure it’s not something that’s going to keep recurring.

“He’ll miss a fair chunk of the season now and probably only get back for the last five or six matches, but that’s why we have a squad and Ethan Hamilton stepped up very impressively last night and Louis Reed also did well when he went on.

“Ethan was very aggressive. He won his tackles and kept the ball well. He sprayed it about very well and set up a great chance for Siriki Dembele.

“There are a couple of things he needs to tidy up on, but he did everything well last night.

“He’s had to be patient. He’s been in and out of the side and done well off the substitutes’ bench. He brings energy to the side and he has a very good attitude.

“Jonson Clarke-Harris was kicked on the ankle last night. He will be assessed later today (Wednesday). My first instincts are he will be okay, but he is a slight doubt for Saturday.

“We have actually been lucky with injuries this season. Every team will get them and it’s important you find a way of coping.

“Flynn Clarke suffered a real freak injury in training. It’s disappointing for him and us.

“No-one can fault the commitment the players are giving the club. They are putting so much into every game. I can’t ask for any more from them.”

Teenage centre-back Ronnie Edwards is expected to return from injury at the end of March.

Posh have no option to bring loan players Ryan Broom and Serhat Tasdemir back to the club.

Taylor will certainly miss the rest of the March fixtures against Burton, Hull, Portsmouth, Rochdale, Blackpool and Accrington and could miss the Easter games against Fleetwood and Sunderland.