Shrewsbury Town v Wycombe preview: Gareth Ainsworth welcomes former club

It is the first time he will manage against The Chairboys since he left the club he was in charge for more than 10 years in February 2023 to join Queens Park Rangers. 

He was replaced by Matt Bloomfield, who has now guided the team to the top of the League One table at this stage of the season. 

And Ainsworth admitted it is the first time in his managerial career he has wanted Wycombe to lose. 

"It's the first time I've managed against them," he said. "I don't know what emotions to have. 

"It is the first time I've ever wanted Wycombe Wanderers to lose as a manager. And that's going to be a weird feeling.

"But we can do it. My boys can definitely do it. And it's something that Matt Bloomfield will know.

"He knows I'm not going to lie down and say 'Oh come on, it's one of my favourite clubs, so come and beat us.' Absolutely not. I'm the other way now."

Town head into the game with everyone available for Ainsworth to choose from - aside from Josh Kayode - who is still on the sidelines with a calf injury. 

Toto Nsiala missed last weekend's defeat at Abbey Stadium due to personal reasons, whereas Mal Benning and Aaron Pierre were both suspended - all three are now available for this clash. 

Ainsworth has taken three points from his first three games in charge of Salop. 

And he says his start in Shropshire is comparable to when he first took the job at Wycombe all those years ago. 

"After the Birmingham game, I came into the office afterwards and I was the most emotional person ever," he continued. "I thought I was back in football with just that massive scalp.

"I could have broken down in tears in that office. That's the kind of person I am. But I believe it's a big strength.

"I think people hide their emotions. I totally use them and live off them. I don't know what that's going to be on Saturday. 

"I took some stick at the start at Wycombe, so I go back to those days and think, you know what, this is very similar. This is where we started.

"Look where they are now, they are a fantastic team. They've got a brilliant manager who is just a phenomenal person as well. 

"I'll be smiling, I know that. Because I'm proud of what that club is. I loved my time there."

The game this weekend will be the first time former Shrewsbury striker Dan Udoh has played against the club since he left in the summer to join The Chairboys. 

Udoh made more than 150 appearances for Town after signing from Telford in August 2018. 

Former Salop skipper Luke Leahy will also return to the Croud Meadow. He scored earlier in the year when Wycombe beat Shrews 2-0 in Shropshire.