GIULIANO Grazioli is not expecting a standing ovation from the Peterborough faithful tomorrow afternoon.

The Town striker is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench against his former club but has no doubt some fans will still ensure he receives a 'warm welcome'.

Grazioli enraged the Peterborough supporters when he switched to the County Ground during the summer of 1999.

He said: "I left on a 'Bosman'. I was offered a new contract at Peterborough, a very good contract, but it was the lure of First Division football which brought me to Swindon.

"I don't think anyone can blame me for that. It was something at that stage of my career that I couldn't turn down."

The player has nothing but fond memories of his time under Barry Fry, despite his slightly acrimonious departure.

"I had a good time down there. I didn't play too much but when I did get a run. I did reasonably well," said Grazioli.

As for his former boss, the Town striker believes Fry's unorthodox approach is one of his great strengths as a manager.

"His style is very unorthodox but he is the first to admit it. He has had success, so he must have something. The training was good at Peterborough and he was a great character to have in the dressing room, even when things weren't going well," he said.

Grazioli said his former boss's frequent use of expletives was well documented, but that was just part of his character. The player does not feel he has anything to prove to the Posh faithful tomorrow.

"To come on and score would be a great buzz. It's always a buzz when you score against your old club," he said.

While Grazioli is preparing for a frosty reception, he believes Town keeper Bart Griemink, also a former Posh man, will have to face considerably more abuse, joking: "I think Bart will get most of the stick."

Although Grazioli is delighted with the upturn in Town's fortunes since Andy King's appointment, he is frustrated that he has been left kicking his heels on the bench.

"I have been on the bench 15 or 16 times this season but I will just have to keep working hard in training. You never know in football. There can be injuries and suspensions and if you get your chance, you have to take it," said Grazioli.

The player has already provided the highlight of the season for the Town faithful, netting a late winner in the 2-1 victory over Oxford.

He also came off the bench last Saturday and was unlucky to see his late effort crash back off the crossbar. Fortunately, the ball dropped to Alan Reeves who stabbed in a stoppage time equaliser.

Reeves himself will miss the Peterborough clash through suspension but he is confident his team-mates will continue their good run at London Road.

He said: "We've enough quality in the squad to beat them. The spirit is good."