Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson believes that injuries are not the reason his side lost their League Cup tie at Sunderland on Tuesday.

Posh's in-form striker Lee Tomlin picked a foot injury only 11 minutes into the game after a challenge from Ki Sung-Yeung and could be a doubt for Saturday's fixture at Rotherham United.

They were further affected when captain Tommy Rowe was taken off with a knee injury but Ferguson refused to make excuses.

He told the Peterborough Telegraph: "Sunderland deserved to win. There's no doubt in my mind about that.

"Of course the injuries, particularly the one to Lee so early in the game, didn't help, but I can't use that as an excuse.

"I'm disappointed for my players because they just didn't express themselves."