Poppies boss appeals to Posh

Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has confirmed that Kettering manager Mark Cooper will be announced as the new boss of the Coca-Cola Championship outfit.

Cooper, 40, will take charge of the Poppies` Blue Square Premier fixture with Cambridge on Saturday afternoon before being appointed Posh boss on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Fry told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph: "Mark Cooper has agreed in principle to become our new manager."

He added: "We have done everything by the book and were going to make a statement at 5pm after Kettering's game.

"Mark will sign a three-and-a-half year deal when he comes to the club on Sunday before meeting the players.

"He will then start on Monday just as we have planned. He is a young, hungry manager who I am personally delighted to have on board."

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony said earlier this week that he was after a young manager who could sort out the club`s defensive problems.

He said: "The criteria is someone who can lead us to a top-12 finish and who can sort us out defensively.

"If we get it right at the back then we can have a hell of a season."