WANDERERS captain Gareth Ainsworth says he'll train throughout the summer to make sure his body is ready for League One next season.

Ainsworth turns 38 on Tuesday but has been a stalwart throughout the promotion campaign with 45 appearances for Gary Waddock.

He said: “There are contracts to be sorted for a lot of the lads, and my contract is up this summer as well. So there is that to get through first then there are fitness issues. I'll have a little rest, but I'm a privileged guy when my job is to keep fit so I will be keeping fit.

“I know how old I am, I know I've got to get my body in shape in the summer and come back flying again because League One is going to be even tougher.

“We've got the Prestons, the Sheffields, Hudderfields...there are some big teams in that league and next year is going to be a tough one, but we've got to stay in League One.”

It says something about him that Ainsworth is already turning an eye to next season.

He said: “I love the game. I really, really love the competition. People ask how long I'm going to keep playing, I'll play as long as people play me. I won't retire, someone will retire me.

“Every Saturday I love getting on the pitch and putting myself against another team. I just want to keep playing.

“Passing 500 games was a nice mark for me, but I've got 600 in my sights now so I want to keep going.”