Peterborough clash put on the back burner as Curle focuses on beating young Saints

Saturday's big League One clash at home to rivals Peterborough United has been placed on the back burner for now with manager Keith Curle fully focused on beating Southampton U23s in tonight's EFL Trophy tie.

Town host the young Saints in their second match in Southern Group C and will likely need a victory to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages following defeat to MK Dons in their first outing.

And whilst every Cobblers supporter would happily accept defeat this evening if it meant beating Posh at the weekend, Curle, naturally, wants to win both games.

"Every game I play, I want to win," said Curle. "That's just the nature of me.

"Yes there will be a few changes tonight but we've got players at the football club who are here for a reason and it's an opportunity for them to go out, play the game and express themselves.

"You have to take one game at a time and look at the next game. There could be performances in this game that might change my mindset for Saturday.

"I've got a brief outline of what I want to do against Peterborough but first and foremost my focus is on beating Southampton."

Southampton are sure to provide the Cobblers with a different type of test than they are given on a weekly basis in the league.

"Southampton have an identity and a philosophy and every team we play has a philosophy," Curle added.

"They're a fantastic football club with a fantastic academy and it's a chance for their young players to showcase what they're about in a competitive environment.

"That's why Premier League clubs have been introduced into this competition because they want their young players exposed to competitive football."