ALAN Bennett said his former Wanderers team mate Gareth Ainsworth is destined to have a great career as a manager.

The former Ireland international said it was obvious Ainsworth was always going to become a manager and he’s impressed with the way the 39-year-old has turned Blues’ fortunes around after being handed the job at Adams Park.

He said: “I think he can manage at a higher level. He’s steadying the ship at Wycombe. He’s got every attribute you need – he’ll do a top job, there’s no doubt about it.

“Every day he would talk to us about his days at QPR as a manager. It was a pretty natural step for him because he’s that kind of character. His energy and enthusiasm for training every day brings people with him.

“They were five unbeaten coming into today, which is an incredible run of form. I think he’s doing a great job, I really do.”

Bennett also noted the number of former youth team members in Wanderers’ Boxing Day squad and said: “I’m not sure what’s happening behind the scenes but hopefully that won’t restrict him too much.”

Bennett captained his new side Cheltenham to a 4-0 win over the team he joined the Robins from, saying it was a reaction from a hammering by Rochdale last Friday.

He said: “We had a bad performance against Rochdale last week – it was unfortunate Wycombe were on the end of a reaction.”