Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth says he is happy to juggle his small squad throughout a December which sees the club play seven matches.

The fixture pileup comes as the Blues make up for games that have been postponed in the past and continue their assault on the FA Cup.

While his squad has been pushed to the limit in recent weeks Ainsworth is more than happy with the way in which they have coped and sees no issue going forward.

He said: “I have got options on the bench and I am happy with what I have got to choose from on the bench but the boys who have been starting have done well.

“Keeping a settled side is important to me but like always we will assess the boys and make a decision on who plays before each game.”

Indeed Ainsworth’s commitment to continuity saw him field the same starting line-up during all three of last week’s matches.

The matches against Wimbledon, Yeovil and Portsmouth were all played at a frenetic pace and it is a risk to build up so many minutes ahead of the Christmas period.

Michael Harriman highlighted as much as he pulled up with cramp late on against Pompey, but Ainsworth believes having a settled starting 11 will give Wanderers the best chance of progressing in League Two.

“The more settled a side you can keep the better it is. It is no secret that teams that either won leagues or went up last year were in the 20s for players used,” Ainsworth explained.

“We are around that number now and I don’t think it is going to get any more than that because we can’t afford the players to make it more.

“Keeping the squad settled with lads who keep their match fitness up and togetherness is important. Injuries and suspensions will hurt us but we will get through it.”

The fear of injury or suspension led Ainsworth to enter into the transfer market and secure short term loan deals for Brentford youngsters James Ferry and Jermaine Udumaga last week.

While the pair have largely arrived as cover Ainsworth has been impressed by their quality and says they stand a good chance of getting game time during the busy run of matches.

“There is every chance they will get some time in the team and that is why we brought them in. They are the cream of Brentford’s youngsters and if I had a development squad or academy here I would have promoted the best two players to the first team,” he said.

“We haven’t got that so I have asked Brentford for their two best young players and taken them for a month just in case we need cover.”