MIDFIELDER Ian Westlake says he’s ready to start the season as an emergency left back – if new signing Andy Sandell fails to recover from his mystery injury in time.

Westlake has been deployed as a makeshift full back in all of the pre-season matches he has played this season and he says he’s ready to do a job there.

He said: “It’s not my normal position but if that’s where the club want me to play then I am happy with that.”

Sandell is facing a race against time to be fit for the big kick-off against Morecame on August 7.

He has yet to feature in pre-season after the medical he underwent after signing from Aldershot in the summer picked up an injury.

Manager Gary Waddock remains confident that his new recruit will be ready to fill the boots vacated from Craig Woodman’s switch to Brentford.

But if he isn’t, Westlake, who missed most of last season through injury himself, is standing by.

The former Ipswich and Leeds midfielder laid on Blues’ goal in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Reading with a clever quick free kick to Jon-Paul Pittman and he is now looking forward to re-establishing himself in the Blues team – in any position Waddock wants him to fill.

Westlake said: “It’s different playing as a left back but it is just nice to be back out there playing. This time last year I was starting my Wycombe career against QPR and got injured so I’m hoping this will be a better year for me.

“It’s so nice to be out there playing with the boys again.

“I’m a left midfielder by trade but if I’m playing left back and I’m in the team I’m happy. I just want to be playing and the way Wycombe are playing the full backs are really attacking.

“I had a disappointing year last year, starting with doing my hamstring and then when I got back the manager changed then I had an ankle injury and that was my season really.

“I have come back this season fit and ready to play. It’s been a really tough pre-season, a lot tougher than I’ve done for a while, we’ve done a lot of double sessions.

“I just want to try my best, get into the team and give a little back to the club after last season.”