GARETH Ainsworth hasn't ruled out the possibility of making a playing comeback this season.

The Blues boss retired from playing at the end of the 2012/13 season to concentrate on his managerial duties but remained registered on non-contract terms last year.

The 41-year-old named himself as a substitute on more than one occasion towards the end of last season and said he could do the same for the new campaign.

Ainsworth played for the last quarter of an hour of Matt Bloomfield's testimonial match last night, but said that was to give the players in his small squad chance to take a break.

He said: "We're really small on numbers at the moment. Mine was more to make sure people got a little rest. Not many players are ready for 90 minutes at the moment, we're only two and a half weeks in. Me coming on was to relieve a player.

"We'll see what happens this season. Money's tight, the club's been through the mill in the last two years and people have got to understand on and off the pitch where we are.

"If I have to I will put the boots back on but keeping everyone fit and fresh and using the small squad we have with quality, I'm sure we are going to be competitive in every game."