FORMER Wanderer Joel Grant has tipped Gareth Ainsworth to manage in the Premier League one day.


The winger, who is now with tomorrow’s opponents Exeter City, reckons the Wycombe boss has the attributes to climb the management ladder.


He said: “He can go all the way to the top level. I don’t think there’s a limit on where he can go. I can see him making the Premier League, why not? He had a top career as a player and he’s got a lot to offer as a manager.”


Grant says some of his happiest times in football were the two years he spent at Adams Park living with his best friend Marvin McCoy and playing under first Gary Waddock and then Ainsworth.


He said of Ainsworth: “His man management is very good, he tries to keep everyone happy and involved, he makes everyone feel part of the group but he is also a good coach. He looks at each individual and in my case he allowed me to express myself while adding to my game by improving my weaknesses.”


Although Grant was already on Jamaica’s radar as an U20 and U23 player, he believes it was his performances under Ainsworth that propelled him towards the full caps he won for The Reggae Boyz after he moved to Championship side Yeovil.


Grant said: “Leaving Wycombe to go to Yeovil was very tough and the decision was only taken because I wanted to play at a higher level. If I could have got promoted with Wycombe that would have been ideal because I enjoyed it so much there and the Wycombe fans always backed me.”


He is now at Exeter after the team’s supporters clubbed together to pay his wages and he can’t wait for tomorrow’s match against his old side.


He said: “I’m really excited, over-excited about it. Hopefully I will be fit, ready and selected to play against Wycombe because I loved it there and had some really good times. It’s going to be one of our toughest games of the season.  Wycombe are doing really welland were unfortunate not to go up last season. They have carried on where they left off and they seem like they are going to push again.”
About having his wages paid for by City’s fans Grant says: “I’m very grateful to them that they have put themselves out for me and hopefully with my performances I won’t let them down.”