Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has explained why Alfie Mawson has been excluded from recent fixtures.

The centre back has not featured since the 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town on December 17, and has since missed the last three games against Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, and Peterborough United respectively.

Live at London Road: Peterborough United 0-3 Wycombe Wanderers

In that time, Wanderers have picked up nine points from 12, with the former Fulham and Swansea City man being absent as a ‘precaution’.

But Ainsworth has revealed what the injury is.

Speaking after Wycombe’s 3-0 win over Peterborough on New Year's Day, he said: “We all know that Alfie carries a problematic knee which he has had several operations on.

READ MORE: Wing at the double as Wycombe win at promotion-pushing Peterborough

“He jarred it against Ipswich and once you do that, it’s best to keep him out but we had Ryan Tafazolli, Joe Jacobson, and Jack Grimmer in a back three and they were fantastic [against Peterborough].

“Taf was imperious today [January 1] and I had a chat with him on Thursday where there were a couple of things we could have worked on, but today, he has given me no case for me to pull him at all.

“He’s a great lad, good character, and for him to score against his old club and have a good battle with Jonson Clarke-Harris, who is one of the league’s best players, was great for him.”

The win was Wanderers’ first at London Road since May 2006.