Wanderers begin their hectic Christmas programme tonight when they face Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.

Following that, the Blues have three games in six days, beginning with a home game to Newport on Boxing Day.

Wycombe have been in good form recently, especially at home, and boss Gareth Ainsworth is relishing the chance to lock horns with one of the most ambitious teams in the division.

Coventry have made a decent start this season, having been relegated from League One last campaign. Despite their promising opening, Sky

Blues boss Mark Robins still feels his charges at eight points shy of where they should be.

It is a statement that shows Robins and his side mean business this season.

Ainsworth said: "They have brilliant ambition. They are a fantastic club with good history and they will be tough opposition for us.

"Our form on the road has been indifferent lately but we go there in good spirits. It is a big pitch that allows for open football.

"They relaid it in the summer but the pitch cuts up quite a lot due to the rugby as well so that has come into consideration.

"We will be picking the team that we feel can do a job there and come back with something. It will be a tough, tough game as they are up and around us.

"For Mark to say what he has said is a huge statement so we need to be on it."

With the game being pushed forward a day due to fixture clash with Wasps, it means the team have an extra day to recover ahead of the Newport fixture on Tuesday.

Ainsworth hopes this can be a slight advantage for his side.

He added: "You could look at it both ways. It is one of those questions you aren't sure of the answers too. Teams are due to face a Saturday-Tuesday, which they are used to in this league.

"People say that extra day will give us an extra day for recovery but people will spin it whatever way they want.

"I am quite pleased we do have that extra day, especially if we can pick something up from Coventry we can be ahead of the game.

"There is no rest for us at Christmas, though. Saturday isn't a day off.

"There will be plenty of work that goes into getting everyone ready for Boxing Day and these games are crucial and it is an important time to pick up some points."

With the games coming thick and fast, Ainsworth pinpointed the festive period as 'pivotal' as the season starts to take shape.

He commented: "It is always pivotal. Once you come out into January, the fixtures are condensed and the league goes quickly.

"Once you are in the middle of January, you only have three months left then you are done. People will be looking that end.

"The ones who manage their squads generally are the ones who get it right and the aim is to be in the playoffs around this time and moving into January. Sticking in their is key for me.

"I firmly believe we can achieve that and also at the end of the season, which is obviously the main aim for us."