Assistant manager Richard Dobson said it was for the best that ill Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth stayed away from the players in the build-up to Saturday’s trip to Accrington.

Ainsworth stayed at home while his men played out a 1-1 draw at the Crown Ground, having also kept away from the training ground on Friday after coming down with a cold.

Dobson said contingency plans were put in place in the event of the manager not being well enough to travel up to his native Lancashire.

He said: “He wasn’t well on Thursday when he came in. We were prepared he might not make it.

“I suffered with flu two years ago and we had games against Bradford and Bristol Rovers, so I know what it’s like. As much as you want to be there – I kept telling Gaz in that period, ‘I’ll be in tomorrow’ – you just can’t do it.

“It’s better he’s away from the players while he’s carrying the illness. It’s better for him he rests and recovers and is back to full health for Boxing Day.”

It’s the second time Dobson has taken caretaker charge of Wanderers, having stepped in for a 3-2 defeat at Gillingham in 2009 in the wake of Peter Taylor’s sacking.