Darren Ferguson: Peterborough boss trying not to ‘overcook’ derby

Monk, however said that in derby games, recent form can count for very little.

“Derby games in general, I’ve managed quite a few and played in quite a few, they’re all different, quite individual games,” he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

“As much as your preparation is the same for every game, there’s no denying that a derby game has a different feeling around it. It’s a derby I haven’t been involved in and a few of the boys in the changing room (haven’t), so we go there looking forward to it and trying to put our best on the pitch.”

He continued: “Each and every game, there’s little tactical nuances you have to adapt to, each team is different.

“The principles, the effort we’ve been putting into our work, the intensity and focus, all the things that go with that, they don’t change – but there are little nuances which you have to be ready for.”

Cambridge suffered a blow with midfielder Paul Digby ruled out for “six to 10 weeks” because of a muscle strain but striker Ryan Loft and Shayne Lavery are both nearing a return to action.

However, Monk acknowledged Peterborough would start as favourites because of the attacking threat they pose.

Posh have only won two of their last five in the league, but have beaten Stevenage and Crystal Palace’s under-21 side in the EFL Trophy, either side of a gutsy 4-2 win at Newport County in the first round of the FA Cup.

“They spend a lot on talented players but obviously with the model of selling them for a profit and they’ve done exceptionally well at that over the years,” Monk added.

“We know their attacking threat is huge for this level.”