Peterborough United hope to have two key players back for Exeter visit but goalkeeper still a month away

Ward has not played since limping off in the first 15 minutes after sliding into a 50-50 challenge against Oxford three matches ago (October 22).

While Poku missed the match against Salford with a knock having only returned for the Oxford match after being out for three matches himself.

Ricky-Jade Jones, who joined the club by missing three matches of his own after limping off with an ankle injury in the league match against Wycombe last month (October 15), made his first start back against Salford and therefore Ephron Mason-Clark moved over to the right of the front three to cover for Poku’s absence.

David Ajiboye is also available again having returned from injury to come off the bench against Salford. He then scored for the Under-21s in their 4-1 win over Burnley on Tuesday (November 8).

McCann said: “There are still a couple of knocks and niggles that we are nursing along in the squad, even people playing. Obviously, we are going to be tested next week by playing the three games in such a short space of time.

“We’re hoping to try and get Wardy and Kwame back for Saturday but we’ll see how they get on for the rest of the week. It’s a bit of a tricky one for both of them.

“Joe is having a bit of an issue with his knee. He’s now had an injection so we hope that settles it down. With Kwame we’re just waiting to see if he’s pain-free but both are working very hard off the pitch.”

Loan keeper Harvey Cartwright is still expected to be around a month away from recovering from a persistent thigh injury that has plagued him all season but Posh are keen to get him back in and around the squad as he completes his final rehab.

The 20-year-old has still only been fit enough to make the Posh squad twice, appearing once against Stevenage in the EFL Trophy in August.

McCann added: “I touched base with Hull last week. He’s probably still a month away but we’re looking to try and get him back into our building because I think it’s important to try and keep him around us.

“I’m just waiting for the green light from Hull regarding what he can and can’t do. It’s been a frustrating time for Harvey so he’s desperate to get back to playing and we’re desperate to get him back here.”