Posh price for a prized asset

THERE aren’t too many mad-keen Athletic fans with a spare £12milion burning a hole in their pocket.

And even if there were, it is likely chairman Simon Corney would be putting his arm around their collective shoulders and gently extracting a contribute to the new north stand.

And no doubt manager Lee Johnson would be having a word about cash for new players, too.

But even armed with that sort of money, neither Corney nor Johnson would splash every single penny on one player — Peterborough star Lee Tomlin. Yet that’s the price put on his head by manager Darren Ferguson.

Tomlin (24) is one of four Posh players who have already netted twice in 2013-14. Ferguson is in no mood to see him depart for anything other than silly money.

“Lee Tomlin is the chairman’s favourite player and he's not going anywhere — unless someone wants to give us £12m,” said the son of Sir Alex.

Tomlin is an outstanding talent - one Athletic must be very wary of on Saturday. And Tomlin’s not alone. The former Championship club has Britt Assombalonga, a club-record summer signing from Watford, who has also hit two goals already to help Posh start the season with a bang.

Former Manchester United youth winger Tommy Rowe is another double-scorer, despite the season’s youth.

No wonder Peterborough are fancied by the bookies to go straight back up. Results have been excellent so far. After seeing off Swindon 1-0 on the opening day, Posh won 5-1 at Colchester and 4-2 at Notts County on Saturday.

Despite nine goals in five days, Ferguson remains on the trail of another striker. “I think we need the

competition,” he said.