Newcastle United defender in contention to make first appearance of the season this weekend

Kelland Watts could make his first appearance for Peterborough United this weekend after recovering from knee surgery.

The Newcastle United defender travelled to Austria with Eddie Howe’s squad in pre-season but picked up a knee injury in training.

Watts was loaned to the League One side until January on summer transfer deadline day but only recently linked up with Grant McCann’s side after doing most of his rehabilitation on Tyneside.

The 22-year-old came through his first minutes of the campaign during Posh under-21’s 4-1 defeat to Hull City on Monday.

McCann named Watts among his substitutes for the visit of Forest Green Rovers 24 hours later, so is in line for a first competitive outing when Posh play Wycome Wanderers on Saturday.

McCann said: “Kell came through 60 minutes very well. I had to phone him this morning as well to tell him he’d be on the bench due to the illness of Ben Thompson.

“He’s a great kid, a top player and he’s only going to make us stronger. He’s ready, like all the boys, there’s good competition for places.”

The Alnwick-born defender signed a new two-year contract with his boyhood club earlier this year having already made over 100 Football League appearances.

Watts, who has played for Stevenage, Mansfield Town and Plymouth Argyle, won the League One title with Wigan Athletic last season.