RHYS EVANS is battling to shake off a thigh injury ahead of Town's trip to Peterborough United but the keeper is confident that a mixture of Wiltshire wisdom and Premiership pampering will see him through.

The 22-year-old has played 35 consecutive league games and he is determined to extend that to 36 at London Road tomorrow.

He suffered a knock to his left thigh against Barnsley and aggravated it in Tuesday's 3-3 draw at Port Vale.

Evans is confident he will be fit enough to play but he is leaving nothing to chance.

He said: "No player wants to be missing games at this stage of the season with the position we're in.

"Obviously you have to be honest to yourself and to your club. You shouldn't try and claim you're fit if you're not.

"The thigh is feeling better though and I've obviously been working with Dick Mackey here at the club but I've also kept in touch with the fitness advisor at Chelsea, who did a lot of work with Gianfranco Zola.

"You try and take on board different things from different people.

"As it stands, I'm hopeful that I'll be fit for Peterborough."

If Evans does make it, he is likely to come face to face with a former England youth colleague.

He said: "Their striker Richard Logan was in the same side as me.

"I don't know if he'll play but whoever Peterborough put out, we know we're in for a battle.

"They need points for different reasons to us but there's no reason why we shouldn't go there and get a result."

While Evans is well placed to win his fitness battle, the outlook isn't quite so good for on loan defender Eddie Howe to make his debut at London Road.

His ankle injury looks set to keep him out of the reckoning to face Posh.

He said: "The ankle is improving but it's still a little bit sore. I can't really strike a ball without pain or twist and turn.

"I was going to have a run ahead of the kick-off at Port Vale but the ankle didn't really feel comfortable.

"I'll be working hard with Dick Mackey next week with a view to aiming for the Bristol City game."

Manager Andy King was due to put the players through their paces this morning before sitting down to resolve his formation 'dilemma'.

The Town boss must decide whether to continue with the 4-3-3 system which triggered a magnificent fightback at Vale Park on Tuesday.

Whichever formation he eventually chooses, King will have to do without midfielder Brian Howard who begins a three-match suspension.

The Town box office reports there are now just 1,500 tickets remaining for the Easter Saturday clash with Bristol City at the County Ground.