Liam Hatch is back at Underhill tomorrow with a free-spending Peterborough United, outfit riding high in League 2 and boosted by an 8-2 home win against Accrington Stanley in midweek.

Hatch, who joined Peterborough in a £150,000 deal this month, came on against Accrington as an 85th minute sub in a game watched for Barnet by assistant manager Ian Hendon and club captain Lee Harrison.

Hatch was one of five Posh players on view who had played for Paul Fairclough in his England C side, the others being Kieran Charnock, Craig Mackail-Smith, George Boyd and Aaron McLean.

Paul Fairclough is not looking on the game as a get-together of old pals though. He says: "Since Barnet's return to the Football League we have been a bit of a thorn in the side of Peterborough. The games against them have always been passionate affairs ... throw Hatchy into the equation and you have a real showcase".

Michael Leary returns for the Bees in place of the suspended Ashley Carew as the manager considers whether or not to stick with the 4-5-1 formation - with home debutant Cliff Akurang a lone figure up front holding up the ball - that has brought an away win at MK Dons and away draws at Wycombe Wanderers and Swindon Town in an unbeaten start to 2008.

The new South Stand will be open for the game, as will a North Stand designated as a family area for away supporters.


Dennis Signy