In his time as a player, Gareth Ainsworth made quite a name for himself at Lincoln City.

He was part of a robust set of players who performed under controversial manager John Beck. Coming from Preston North End, he turned out 97 times for Lincoln, scoring 41 goals. He left for a fee of £500,000 to Port Vale, later joining Wimbledon for £2m.

He’s since become a respected manager, taking Wycombe from the bottom of League Two to the top of League One and his links as a player have meant he’s been mentioned as a possible candidate for the vacant job at Sincil Bank.

He’s amongst the bookies favourites and, after his comments to the Totally Football League Show this week, he’s likely to be seeing those odds shorten even further.

“Of course, I’m ambitious,” said the former QPR man.

“I want a club that has ambitions to play in the Championship, to be as high as they possibly can. I know Lincoln City have got that ambition. What the Cowleys have built in their time there – it’s just awesome.

“I’m open to everything. Wycombe have this potential. I’m really hoping that the fans understand that, unfortunately, money is needed in football and to progress, especially to the next level. It’s going to take some serious investment.”

Wycombe are currently fan-owned and although Ainsworth is happy where he is, he won’t rule out a move to a club who can help him get into the Championship.

“The ambition for me is to get into that Championship one way or the other.”

Our View

This will have Lincoln City fans doing a little dance of excitement. Currently, Michael Flynn is the favourite for the job, but Ainsworth is right up there and would be warmly greeted by a lot of supporters.

He certainly fits the bill, he’s not unlikely Cowley in his approach, his flexibility in style and his use of a small squad.

He would be the perfect man to replace the outgoing brothers in the fan’s eyes.