Batt signed from non-league Fisher Athletic in July

Peterborough United winger Shaun Batt says he is ready to fill the void up front should Craig Mackail-Smith not be ready for Saturday's match with Derby.

Mackail-Smith has been suffering with a recurrence of his body alignment problems, but is in line to play against Sunderland on Tuesday.

Batt told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "It's unfortunate what's happened to Craig and he's unable to train.

"But it gives me a chance to stake my claim to a place."

The 21-year-old scored his second goal in a week in Posh's 3-0 win over Oxford on Saturday.

He could cover for Mackail-Smith either as a direct swap up front or by filling in on the wing and allowing George Boyd to move forward.

"I've always been considered at a winger, but lots of managers have chosen to play me up front," Batt said.

"If I can grab the goals I am more than happy to play up front, although I do like to drift out wide."

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