The momentum gained from promotion from the National League makes Grimsby Town a challenging opponent, according to Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth.

The Mariners earned a place in League Two via the play-offs last season and arrive at Adams Park on the back of a 2-0 opening day win against Morecambe.

While some would look at Grimsby’s relative inexperience as an advantage for Wycombe, Ainsworth believes they will still be on a high from making it into the Football League.

He said: “It is absolutely fantastic coming up, look at Bristol Rovers last year. Momentum is huge in football, really, really big.

“It has shown with us what momentum can do. We had it with the season two years ago and going into last season.”

Ainsworth described a new-look Crawley Town side as an unknown quantity ahead of the Chairboys’ 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

Despite Wycombe and Grimsby not meeting since 2009 – a 1-0 win for Town – Ainsworth insists he has a good knowledge of Paul Hurst’s side.

“I have seen plenty of them and the match against Bristol City was a good rehearsal. They have a very quick forward on loan from Barnsley (Kayden Jackson),” Ainsworth said.

“We know all about them and they will know all about us.”

Having taken his coaching badges with Hurst, Ainsworth will have a chance to claim the bragging rights over his old friend.

A more pressing concern will be claiming a first win of a season which is yet to yield a goal in the Blues’ first two matches.

The Wycombe manager is hoping Adams Park will provide a vibrant backdrop for the match and give Wanderers a platform to thrive in a tough match.

He said: “We have a big test against Grimsby who had a good start to the season. They will bring plenty of fans down but I am hoping Adams Park will be rocking for the first home [league] game of the season.”

He will continue to get by without a number of key first team players after a host of injuries in the opening week of the season.

Luke O’Nien, Max Muller and Nick Freeman are all doubts, but Myles Weston and Scott Brown will definitely miss out.

Ainsworth says the situation is improving and feels the available players will be up to the task tomorrow.

Danny Rowe could be in contention to start, while Paul Hayes and Paris Cowan-Hall are nearing fitness again.