Peterborough United's faithful have been urged to roar the club towards a Wembley return next month.

Posh, who won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final in front of nearly 20,000 of their own fans at Wembley on Sunday, return to action tonight when they welcome Colchester United in League One. Darren Ferguson's troops sit sixth and are targeting a place in the end-of-season play-offs as they look to complete an immediate return to the Championship.

After witnessing such memorable and vocal support against Chesterfield at the weekend, Fergie feels those who follow the London Road outfit still have an equally big part to play in their club's promotion push.

Posh's boss said: 'We need them massively. They were outstanding on Sunday. Hopefully we get a little bit more through the gates in the last five home games.

'The crowds have come down, whether that's to do with the financial state of play in the country or whether it's to do with people thinking we should be doing better, I'm not too sure – I think it's a bit of both. But it's important we get bigger crowds because it's hard for us to compete as it is without obviously the chairman putting his hand in his pocket.

'I think we need to try and generate funds from bigger gates. The Championship does that because you get a far bigger following from the away teams. I am slightly disappointed by the gates this season as they've gone dowm more than what I thought.

'But they (the fans) were brilliant on Sunday and we need them massively. And they'll be saying the same, they'll want to get back here on May 25th.'

Weekend goalscorer Shaun Brisley, who limped off towards the end of United's 3-1 victory, is expected to be fit for this evening's clash. JPT cup-tied quartet Nicky Ajose, Ben Nugent, Jack Baldwin and Conor Washington all come back into contention.

Posh occupy the last play-off position and are one point ahead of their nearest rivals Swindon Town, having played two games less.

Ferguson added: 'Winning the JPT came at the right time for us. It can really energise us. We've got eight games now to make sure we stay in sixth. Like I've said to the players, the motivation is now to get back to Wembley, there's no question about that. It's a fantastic arena.'