Wycombe midfielder Sam Saunders feels the FA Cup defeat to Preston could be a blessing as Wanderers eye a promotion challenge

Saunders was part of the side who lost 5-1 last week to the Championship side in the FA Cup third round but is convinced that the defeat could turn out to a blessing in disguise with challenging for promotion the sole focus for the Chairboys now.

Saunders commented: “It is one of those defeats that we brush under the carper and move on. No-one likes to lose never mind by the amount of goals that we did.

“I don’t think it is something that we need to dwell on and our league form has been very good. We had some good cup runs last year but I thought that was a detriment to the league to be honest so hopefully we can use the fact that we are out of the cup to solely focus on our main objective which is to get into the play-offs and try and get promoted.

“When I first signed here we had a run of seven weeks with Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday and we lost points that way.

“We finished the season strongly last season when the games slowed down a bit and now we have a bit more breathing space between games.

“The gaffer can train us right and we will recover and hopefully that proves to the benefit of the club and the squad for the rest of the season.”

Saunders started last week’s FA Cup match but had to make way at half-time due to illness. However, the midfield maestro has had an excellent run in the team and is absolutely delighted with how his form and fitness has stacked up in recent weeks.

He added: “Last few weeks I have felt really good and I played three games in six days.

“Especially with the two games back-to back over New Year [Mansfield on December 30 and Forest Green on January 1], I haven’t done that for seven or eight years.

“I was really pleased and felt good and after those matches I felt strong and still had minutes in my legs so it was disappointing to come off against Preston with illness but hope to be ok for Saturday."