ACCRINGTON Stanley skipper Peter Cavanagh is facing a race against time to win his fitness battle for Saturday's League Two clash with Peterborough United.

The 25-year-old defender missed last Saturday's disappointing 2-0 defeat at Lincoln City after pulling a calf strain prior to the game.

Cavanagh also did not feature in Tuesday night's 3-2 reserve defeat, in which striker Leighton McGivern bagged a brace for the Reds.

But Reds boss John Coleman is hopeful that Cavanagh will shake off the problem ahead of Saturday's fixture against Posh at the Fraser Eagle Stadium.

Midfielder Paul Carden, however, is unlikely to overcome his own calf injury in time.

"It may be a bit too early for Paul," said Coleman. "We are hopeful that Peter Cavanagh will be okay."