JIM Gannon, the Peterborough manager, is well aware of the threat posed by Blues striker Daryl Murphy in tonight's Championship fixture at London Road (kick-off 7.

Elvin King

JIM Gannon, the Peterborough manager, is well aware of the threat posed by Blues striker Daryl Murphy in tonight's Championship fixture at London Road (kick-off 7.45pm).

“I know Daryl Murphy very well from his Waterford days,” said Gannon, who signed striker Liam Dickerson on loan from Brighton yesterday.

“He will be a big physical presence.”

Posh are cut adrift at the foot of the table and the recently appointed Gannon knows the importance of picking up wins now rather than later.

He went on: “If we've any hope of not just staying up this season, but of going down fighting we have to do well in our home games this week against Ipswich and then Sheffield United on Saturday.

“Ipswich have a bit about them though.

“Like us they've had a lot of changes this season, not in managers, but in other personnel, and have brought in several players.

“They've had to play several players out of position, which hasn't helped, but it's bound to be another tough game.

"I've been happy with the way my players have performed, and I'm expecting an aggressive attacking display from us.”

Dickinson is expected to start tonight having played under Gannon at his previous club Stockport.

Town manager Roy Keane is under no illusions that his players face a tough task. He said:

“We had them watched at the weekend, and we're in for tough game. I hope they are too.

“When you may be written off in some quarters it can bring out more in your players.

“They have a new manager who has tried different systems with mixed results and its no disgrace losing 1-0 at Middlesbrough.

“They have had lot of close games, and on the back of two promotions this season was always going to be tough.

“Jim Gannon has a decent track record, but he has taken on a tough job.”

Posh are 12 points adrift of safety with just 45 more points available.

This is the third time Town have played Peterborough this season - and it will be against a third different manager.

Darren Ferguson was in charge when the Posh beat Town 2-1 in the Carling Cup in August with Mark Cooper holding the reins for the goalless league match at Portman Road in December.

Tonight's likely squads

Peterborough: Lewis, Morgan, Bennett, Frecklington, Lee, Rowe, Whelpdale, Livermore, McLean, Boyd, Simpson, Gilbert, Reid, Dickinson, Simpson, Mackail-Smith, Griffiths, McKeown, Geohaghan, Mills

Ipswich Town: Lee-Barrett, B Murphy, Rosenior, D Wright, McAuley, Delaney, Balkestein, Peters, Colback, Walters, Leadbitter, Norris, Garvan, Edwards, Quinn, Martin, D Murphy, Healy, Counago, Wickham.

Referee: Mr J Linnington (Isle of Wight).