“He’s been training really well, he’s not feeling any effects from training but it’s been quite a long time he’s been out so it’s just a case of whether his fitness is ready for that kind of intensity .”

Lavery, who has won 19 caps, has made six appearances for Cambridge since joining in the summer, with his two goals coming in a 4-4 draw with former club Blackpool.

Striker Ryan Loft is also being assessed after recovering from the effects of a dead leg, with Monk more hopeful that he can be part of his plans against the Posh.

The 27-year-old only played his first game of the season on September 28 after picking up an ankle problem in pre-season.

“He’s more frustrated than anybody. He’s just got back into his groove, he’s been involved in some of the games, he’s building his fitness and then a really unfortunate knock in the area that he’s got,” he said.

“Normally you have dead legs in the front of your legs and to get it into the hamstrings is obviously quite an acute area and you feel it a lot more when you’re running.

“He will be in full training on Wednesday and should be available for the weekend.”