Boss Gareth Ainsworth on Shrewsbury interest in Jason McCarthy

The defender, who has been signed by Ainsworth multiple times throughout his career, left Wycombe Wanderers earlier this week. 

The 29-year-old has been out of favour this season having only featured twice from the bench for Matt Bloomfield's side and he and the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract on Tuesday.

And the boss says it is unsurprising that the 'conspiracy theories' have been swirling around since he departed the Chairboys. 

"There will be huge conspiracy theories about why he has left just before the window," Ainsworth said. "Jason he is a player I have worked and signed three or four times at Wycombe. 

"He is an outstanding professional. All the factors I have mentioned before will come into whether we can get someone like Jason McCarthy in. 

"He is a great pro and a real good defender. There is obviously an interest in Jason, but we will have to see where that goes."

The boss was asked if he has had the chance to speak to McCarthy since he left Wycombe, he joked: "If I had then I would not be telling the press."