GARETH Ainsworth said he is flattered to be linked to the manager's job at Preston North End and hasn't ruled himself out of the running - but says he has a big job to finish at Adams Park.

The Wanderers player/manager is amongst the bookmakers' favourites for the role after the Lilywhites parted company with unpopular manager Graham Westley on Wednesday.

Former Leeds and Huddersfield boss Simon Grayson is odds-on favourite to land the post but the odds on Ainsworth taking the reins at Deepdale were as short as 4/1 this week.

And although he said he's planning for the future at Adams Park he didn't say he's not interested in a move back to his former club.

Ainsworth said: "Everybody's linking me with that job because of my time there as a player.

"I'm absolutely flattered to be linked there. It's great people are recognising what I'm doing at Wycombe but I've got a big job here to do. I'm enjoying my time here and I'm planning for the future. I'm planning for next season here.

"The first job was survival but I have bigger plans and bigger things for Wycombe Wanderers. I'm happy here but it's great to be linked with Preston. It shows people are taking note of what's happening here at Wycombe."

Ainsworth's current contract runs out in June, although Blues chairman Don Woodward told the Bucks Free Press last week he is in discussions with the manager about extending his stay.

Ainsworth is a playing hero amongst Preston fans, having enjoyed three spells at Deepdale as a player.

A poll on a Preston fans' website suggest the majority of North End fans want Owen Coyle as manager, while supporters said they were more in favour of Grayson and another playing legend, Graham Alexander, being appointed ahead of Ainsworth.

The Preston board have said they hope to announce Westley's successor before next Saturday's trip to Swindon.