Cooper has taken just seven points as Posh manager

Peterborough United boss Mark Cooper has played down concerns that there is unrest in their dressing room.

Cooper revealed earlier this week that he believes 'one or two' of his players want to join up with former manager Darren Ferguson at Preston.

He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "It's far from ideal that's for certain, but we won't use it as any sort of excuse.

"If you had seen the way they ran about the other night you wouldn't have said there were many problems."

Midfielder Paul Coutts, 21, was left out of the squad to face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday after interest from Preston.

Striker Aaron Mclean is on the transfer-list by request, but Cooper is hopeful he will reconsider his position.

"It happens at every football club and although it's tough you hope to come out of it a better manager," he said.

Posh lost 1-0 to Ferguson's Preston on Tuesday, but Cooper says they are taking steps in the right direction.

"The players gave every ounce of effort, but came up short in the final third which is where it really counts. We can't ask any more in terms of effort," he said.

"They just need a little bit more belief in and around the penalty area. They need to believe they can score rather than hope."

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