Peterborough United are due to face Bedford Town today, their second per-season friendly of the summer, but once again they'll be without in-demand duo Jack Marriott and Marcus Maddison.

The Bristol Post report the two are going to miss the game, as Bristol City are just one of the other clubs chasing at least one of the two players.

Both Marriot and Maddison missed the Posh facing Stamford Town in midweek are both look set for big money Championship moves in the coming weeks.

Leeds United have reportedly joined the hunt for Maddison, who had 23 assists to his name in League One last season. The former Gateshead man had his release clause met by an unnamed club in the week and would surely not be risked in a friendly.

Meanwhile Jack Marriott has been the subject of interest from Derby, Forest and Bristol City after bagging 27 goals in League One for Posh. The former Ipswich man only joined from Luton Town in the summer of 2017, but is seemingly on a very swift upward trajectory.

The Verdict

Peterborough are very much a club run like a business and as such, they're not going to risk their two priciest pieces of merchandise in a nothing friendly with a nonleague outfit.

I don't think there's any surprise in them protecting their investments either, both players combined will likely fetch £10m which is a big sum for Steve Evans to build a promotion challenging squad.

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