Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has revealed that Nathanael Ogbeta was being lined up for a move back to Posh but his continued injury issues pulled the plug on the deal progressing, in comments given to the Peterborough Telegraph.
Ogbeta – who starred on loan at Posh under Darren Ferguson last season – had his reunion plans dashed with the Swansea wing-back now expected to be sidelined with an injury until November.
It’s believed this is the same injury issue that ruled Ogbeta out of Posh’s playoff campaign whilst on loan, sending him back to Wales.
This meant Posh swooped for Chelsea youngster Zak Sturge instead to bolster their full-back options, the 18-year-old highly thought of at Stamford Bridge.
Posh’s Deadline Day Concerns
Going into deadline day tomorrow, Peterborough United could well lose a number of their star assets.
Ronnie Edwards looks likely to be heading out of the door at Posh, West Ham United his rumoured destination. Another defender that could also leave Cambridgeshire behind is Josh Knight, reports circulating that a proposed move to QPR for the ex Wycombe man could be back on.
Jonson Clarke-Harris could also still leave, his future at the club in jeopardy after reports suggested that Bristol Rovers were interested in bringing their former striker back to the Memorial Stadium.
Regardless of rumours floating about regarding outgoings, it makes sense that Posh are recruiting players such as Zak Sturge alongside the addition of Jadel Katongo who signed on loan from Manchester City a few days ago to add numbers in defence.
Still, there will be a tinge of disappointment from those involved at the club that Ogbeta’s deal couldn’t be completed owing to a recurring injury problem.
What Has Been Said?
Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph, Darren Ferguson responded to disgruntled Posh fans concerning the failure to re-sign Ogbeta, opening up as to why the club hadn’t been successful in securing another loan deal for the Swansea man.
He said: “We couldn’t really do that deal but if he was fit we probably would have done.
That’s no slight on Zak, it’s just that the opportunity wasn’t there so we looked to Zak.”
Posh’s manager was glad to have landed Sturge on loan instead however, stating how impressive Premier League youngsters can be when they drop down a few divisions to play.
He said: “He played against us last season in the trophy (Papa John’s Trophy) and did very, very well.
When you sign a loan player from the Premier League, you know they’re going to be athletic, technically good and be good lads.”
Writer’s View
Everyone involved at Posh will be disappointed that injury reasons have put a stop to Ogbeta coming back to the club, a move originally hyped up by Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony on social media.
But, fans shouldn’t be too disheartened with Sturge coming in instead – the 18-year-old impressive in the youth set-up at Chelsea to date, ready for an opportunity in men’s football.
Posh fans will just hope that signing a player of Sturge’s quality doesn’t mean players such as Ronnie Edwards, Josh Knight and Jonson Clarke-Harris exit out of the club.
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