Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has revealed that next weekend’s break has ‘come at the right time’.
Due to the Chairboys being knocked out of the FA Cup to League Two Hartlepool United on November 16, a potential second-round trip to the boss’ former club in Lincoln City was wiped off the table.
This means Wycombe will have a free weekend for the first time in three months, which will give the players a chance to rest following long away trips to Doncaster Rovers, Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, Fleetwood Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Hartlepool United in recent weeks.
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It will also give the likes of Josh Scowen and Curtis Thompson a chance to regain full fitness.
Scowen hasn’t played since the defeat against the Pools in the middle of November, whilst Thompson played in the 2-2 draw away at Wednesday with a knock.
Attendance: 20,671 with 866 Wycombe fans 👏 pic.twitter.com/qgYmkWHPLU
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 27, 2021
Olly Pendlebury also missed the fixture at Hillsborough after picking up an injury in the warm up.
He said: “It has come for us at the right time but it’s not like we didn’t try and get through in the FA Cup with the amount of chances we had against Hartlepool, but, every cloud, and the silver lining is that we’re able to get a weekend off.
“It’s a time to try and get a few players back like Josh Scowen who has been huge for us this season, and there were a few painkillers and anti-inflammatories knocking about before the game today as the boys are banged up, but they give me everything.
63 - OOHHHH MY WORRRDDD! WHAT A GOAL BY JORDAN OBITA! #SWFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 27, 2021
🦉2-2🔵
“We didn’t create as much as we would have liked[against Shef W], and I actually thought we had a few tired legs due to the effort that they give me.
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“And I think the energy they have given me over the last three games has taken its toll, with Josh Scowen being injured and Curtis Thompson playing through with a knock, so there are few legs that need rest.
“Olly Pendlebury pulled up before the game and was honest as he said, ‘gaffer, I don’t want to let the boys down.’
One of the grounds I've always wanted to visit is finally ticked off ✅ #DoingThe92 https://t.co/Qxqksnk4Xv
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 27, 2021
“It’s brilliant what we’ve got here and it shows the maturity of the team.
“I’ve given the lads one or two days off and I’m looking forward to getting back again as they deserve it.
“The rest will do us good next week.”
Next up for Wycombe is a home match against Burton Albion on December 7.
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