Posh boss still has plans for Reggae Boy Clarke-Harris

LONDON (CMC):

PETERBOROUGH MANAGER Darren Ferguson said out-of-favour Reggae Boy Jonson Clarke-Harris was still a critical part of the team’s plans after the striker came off the bench to set up a goal and score another in a 3-1 win over Burton Albion last weekend.

Starts have been rare for the 29-year-old Clarke-Harris ever since he turned down a move to Charlton Athletic during the January transfer window, after Peterborough had agreed a transfer fee of £500,000.

However, he sprang from the bench on Saturday in the 83rd minute to create Peterbrough’s second goal for Josh Knight in the 88th minute before netting deep in stoppage time at the end.

“As I’ve said a lot though, we’re going to need every single player in that dressing room, and that was proven … The subs have come on and won us the game,” Ferguson said.

“Jonno has come on and set one up and scored the winner and Malik (Mothersille) has set one up, I’m really, really pleased with that.”

Clarke-Harris captured the Golden Boot in League One last season but was transfer-listed in the summer after the club failed to gain promotion to the Championship.

A deadline day move to Bristol Rovers fell through late but even then, the clever forward was expected to leave in January before snubbing Charlton.

Saturday’s goal was his 11th of the season but his first of the year, the player’s role now reduced to that of being a late sub.

“He’s a twice Golden Boot winner in this league and he’s not forgotten about,” Ferguson explained.

“We’ve got him up our sleeve when we need him. We’re playing a way that doesn’t suit him too much, but when teams drop deep and we have to play outside teams, it’s a game for Jonno.

“It’s a great finish from Josh. He knew Jonno would win it, so [he] got in front of his defender, and it’s a great, clean technique. We thoroughly deserved the win.”

Peterborough, nicknamed ‘The Posh’, lie fourth in the standings on 68 points, just nine off leaders Portsmouth.