Wanderers chairman Andrew Howard has stated that the sale of Josh Scowen to Barnsley will help secure the long-term future of the club and help fill the void left by Wasps departure.

Both Howard and manager Gareth Ainsworth have preached the importance of getting the Blues back on a stable footing financially and the sales of Paris Cowan-Hall and Scowen will play their part in that process.

The pair’s contracts were due to expire in the summer and with clubs in higher divisions circling Wanderers decided to cash in now rather than risk losing them for nothing at the end of their deals.

Howard says the money generated from the sale of Scowen will be used to plug the financial gap left by Wasps departure from Adams Park in December, rather than being re-invested into the playing side.

He said: “The money we have recouped for Josh helps to steady the ship and the long-term security of the club has to be our number one priority.

“The departure of Wasps Rugby Club from their tenancy of Adams Park hit us hard financially but this deal more than covers the losses which we incurred. We have every intention of moving up the leagues but we have to do it from a secure base.

The chairman also stated that Scowen’s rise from fringe player to club stalwart was down to the Wanderers management team.

He added: “Josh is another fine example of a player who has learnt his trade at Wycombe Wanderers and I'm sure he will be extremely grateful to Gareth and the staff for giving him the chance to make it as a professional footballer.”

To read the full story on Scowen’s departure click here.

For Gareth Ainsworth’s thoughts on the midfielder’s move to Oakwell click here.