Mendy and Hayes back for Posh following injuries

Peterborough United have been given a boost ahead of the Christmas and New Year fixtures with the return of Jacob Mendy and Cian Hayes.

Defender Mendy, who is on loan from Wrexham, has not played since early October after suffering a groin injury in training.

Winger Hayes made his last appearance for Posh in a 1-0 win at Plymouth Argyle on 20 September and has been out with a knee injury.

"Cian Hayes and Jacob Mendy have been training fully so we probably have a fitter squad than we've had for quite a while," boss Luke Williams told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Also available is centre-back Tom O'Connor, who missed the last three games because of a calf problem.

"It's perfect timing, with the schedule, and also with the (transfer) window opening because any players that want to go and play more football and don't feel they're getting enough minutes, it's better to be fit and available than injured and available."

Peterborough climbed out of the League One relegation places last weekend by beating Northampton Town 2-1 in the Nene derby.

They are away to bottom club Port Vale on Saturday before starting their festive programme at home to Leyton Orient on Boxing Day.

"This period can be quite defining for teams, it's the ones that are able to recover well and reproduce a decent level of performance with these short turnarounds that, in a short space of time, can have a very different look in terms of where they are in the league," said Williams.

"It's very strenuous, it's as much about recovery as it is training and playing."