Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has revealed is ‘in awe’ of Bristol Rovers after 40 members of staff shaved their heads in solidarity with the club’s defender, Nick Anderton.

Anderton, 26, is currently undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer last summer.

Following the news, many people across Bristol and the rest of the country have raised funds to aid the stricken centre back, who helped the Pirates achieve promotion to League One last season.

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Those at Rovers decided to go for the trim on January 16 in honour of Anderton’s squad number.

Their show of support took place five days before Wanderers travel to Memorial Stadium to take on the Gas.

Speaking ahead of the match on January 21, Ainsworth said of the gesture: “I think it’s a spectacular thing that Joey Barton and Bristol Rovers have done.

“I am massively in awe of what they have done – it’s fantastic.

“For all the bad press people get, I think there is a lot of good press that gets missed out.

“Above all, I wish Nick Anderton all the best with his health and with his recovery.

"Hopefully one day, the horrible disease that is cancer can be eradicated permanently.

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“For me, this gesture is bigger than the game on Saturday and it’s really important that Nick has got all the support from his teammates.”

The cancer that Anderton is battling is Osteosarcoma, a rare form of sarcoma that has required the defender to have an operation on his femur.

On shaving their heads, Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton said: "There's going to be some odd stares when we get to play games, a commentator's nightmare - a team of skinheads.

“But it's a phenomenal cause and it's the least we can do.”

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A Go Fund Me page has been created where nearly £40,000 has been raised, surpassing its initial £1,600 goal.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/nick-anderton-as-brfc-players-shave-heads.