Ferguson has led Posh to back-to-back promotions

Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson says he is aiming for a third successive promotion as Posh prepare for their Championship debut.

Posh kick-off the new campaign at Derby County on Saturday.

Ferguson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "We're not going in simply to make up the numbers.

"The challenge for us is to get into the Premier League. It will be difficult but we're going to have a real go."

Posh are expected to compete well in the Championship this season, but Ferguson says they have nothing to lose by aiming higher.

Chris Whelpdale is the only player ruled out of Saturday's trip to Derby following his hernia operation.

Striker Craig Mackail-Smith had been struggling with a groin problem, but came through an hour against Sunderland on Tuesday.

"There's been no reaction, he's a bit stiff, but he feels he is ready to go so he'll be in the squad," Ferguson said.

Tommy Rowe and Toumani Diagouraga look set to make their debuts for the club at Pride Park.

Should Mackail-Smith not be considered fit enough to start, Shaun Batt could come into the side with George Boyd partnering Aaron Mclean up front.

"There's always one or two who have a very good pre-season and give you a problem, and Shaun is one of them," Ferguson said.

"He has a really good chance of playing and he gives us great penetration up front."

Posh are back at the second tier of English football for the first time in 15 years.

Derby are one of many sides dreaming of promotion come the end of the campaign, but Ferguson says his men have nothing to fear.

"We going there to win as in any other game, we know their strengths and we know their weaknesses," he said.

"At the end of the day it's all about us and we can go there and give a good account of ourselves."

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