Gannon saved Stockport from relegation in his first season in charge

Peterborough United boss Jim Gannon has said it is vital they give midfielder George Boyd the freedom to express himself in attack.

Boyd played in a free-role behind the front two against QPR on Saturday.

Gannon told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "George is an excellent left-sided player, but we want to save him from doing too much defensive work.

"If we can get him free in attacking areas he can be a great creative force as the goal showed on Saturday."

Gannon succeeded Mark Cooper as Posh boss last week and secured his first three points against QPR.

He set his side up in an unusual 3-4-1-2 formation with Boyd playing behind Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith.

"Basically the main feature is the three centre backs and the two centre forwards supported by George Boyd as a attacking midfielder," he said.

"The other four players move up and down the pitch in relation to the ball and I thought Tommy Rowe and Chris Whelpdale were fantastic as the wing backs."

Boyd started the season as a regular scorer under Darren Ferguson, but struggled to find the net under Cooper.

Gannon says he is likely to stick with a similar shape for Tuesday's trip to Cardiff.

"We've got the players to play this 3-4-1-2 system and it certainly suited us on Saturday and hopefully that will continue," he said.

"It's now up to our opponents to find a way of breaking us down and scoring against us and if they don't we'll always have a chance."

Posh fought back from four goals down to draw 4-4 with Cardiff back in December and travel to Wales still nine points from safety.

Izale Mcleod is their only injury concerns ahead of the game. Craig Morgan missed training on Monday after his wife gave birth, but is expected to travel with the squad.

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