MIDFIELD magician Andre Boucaud has vowed to make Barnsley pay for six months of footballing frustration.
The 20 year-old admits his contribution to the Posh struggle this season has been 'very poor'. He now intends to take advantage of a suspension for club captain Curtis Woodhouse and salvage some pride from a hugely disappointing campaign.
Boucaud, a free transfer recruit from Reading in the summer, has been told he will replace Woodhouse for this Saturday's League One visit of Barnsley.
Boucaud said: "I've only started a handful of matches and that's been very frustrating for me. I had one little run in the side when I thought I did well enough to keep my place, but the manager obviously thought differently.
"I have had a very poor season overall, but there's still enough games and enough to play for to rescue it. I've been told I will be playing Saturday and it's now up to me to ensure I play well enough to stay in the side.
"I have a lot of confidence in my ability and I'm desperate to prove myself to everyone else. I'm delighted to be in the side against Barnsley and I hope I make them suffer for what I've been through."
Boucaud has started just 10 matches this season, but has impressed in the last two Posh games as a substitute. Posh boss Barry Fry described the midfielder as a magician when he first brought him to London Road on loan two years ago.
Fry said: "Andre will now get his chance and I'm hopeful he will give us a bit more creativity. He's the one midfielder on the books who can unlock a defence with a single pass."
Boucaud was due to have a 45-minute run-out in today's private reserve team friendly at Rushden & Diamonds to boost his match fitness. Centre-back Sagi Burton was pulled out of the game after picking up a slight calf injury, but he is still expected to be fit for the Barnsley game.
Onandi Lowe was due to play at Rushden and Fry revealed he has scheduled a meeting with football authorities and the Home Office for next week when the Jamaican international's eligibility to sign for Posh will be discussed.