GARETH Ainsworth admitted he might have to make a playing comeback if his injured players don't recover in time for the weekend.

The Wanderers boss registered himself as a player on non-contract terms at the start of the season, assigning himself the number 41 squad number to reflect his age.

Injuries and suspensions meant six of the 21 players at his disposal were unavailable for last night's loss to Burton Albion.

Josh Scowen and Aaron Pierre come back into the reckoning after serving their respective one match bans, but Alfie Mawson, Max Kretzschmar, Sam Wood and Peter Murphy all added to Ainsworth's injury concerns.

The Blues chief said naming himself among the substitutes might become a necessity - but added it's something he's reluctant to do.

He said: "You never know. The shirt's there, it's ready to come out.

"The boots might need a clean this week but I'm not going to put them on yet.

"I'd rather not, if I'm honest. I'm getting the wrong side of 40 to be playing now. We'll see. I can still hack it with the boys but I prefer to be on the side in the suit and watching what I've been watching previous to tonight."

Ainsworth named himself on the bench a few times towards the end of last season and played in a couple of pre season friendlies in July.