Gareth Ainsworth retired from playing professional football in April 2013, but the Blues boss has admitted that Wanderers’ mounting injury list has left him “close” to naming himself among the substitutes for tomorrow’s game against AFC Wimbledon.

The 41-year-old harbours no interest in making a comeback but, after watching four of his players pick up injuries against Exeter on Tuesday night, conceded that he may have to swap his suit for a kit once again.

Strike duo Aaron Holloway and Matt McClure both went off injured within the first 30 minutes against the Grecians while Alfie Mawson and Nico Yennaris required lengthy treatment in the second half.

Ainsworth has been unable to fill the bench on a number of occasions this season, and picking from one of the smallest squads in League Two coupled with Blues’ injury concerns means fit players are at a premium ahead of Saturday.

The Wycombe manager said: “I’m ready that’s the main thing and I’ll be ready to play. I’ve done a few training sessions with the boys, I still play for my Sunday league side, which is nowhere near the intensity of the Football League but I’ve probably got ten minutes in the bag if needed.

“I wouldn’t like to be on the bench. I would like to stay away, and my retirement from football was genuine. It wasn’t retiring from football to hopefully make a comeback when I’m 41.

“We really do want to get all the players right and I don’t want to be on the bench, but, if forced to be, I have no problem being on the bench.”