GARETH Ainsworth has insisted he will lead Wycombe Wanderers ‘into the new season’ after speculation linking him with the manager’s job at Blackburn Rovers.

The 43-year-old was one of the names discussed by Rovers before they started the interview process to find Paul Lambert’s successor.

And Ainsworth has remained high in the list of bookies’ favourites for the vacant Ewood Park hotseat.

But the Blackburn-born former Preston North End and QPR midfielder, who started his career at Rovers and remains a fan of his hometown club, has made it clear he will be staying with the League Two Chairboys.

Ainsworth, who is the eighth longest-serving boss in the Football League, said: “I’m flattered and honoured to be talked about as a possible candidate for jobs elsewhere and I believe that’s a positive reflection of the work that everyone here has done to turn this club around from where it was two years ago.

“Of course I have ambitions to be the best I can be and manage at the highest possible level one day, but I’m still young, I’m still learning every day and I have a job to do here at Wycombe.

“I have loved every second of my time here. With the support of Andrew Howard, which has been immense, as well as my staff and all the fans, we have a long-term plan to take this club on to bigger and better things.

“That's a challenge which excites me and I look forward to leading the club into the new season.”