Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has revealed why centre back Anthony Stewart missed the 2-1 win over Burton Albion on December 7.

The 29-year-old wasn’t included in the matchday squad despite playing 22 matches in all competitions this season.

His defensive partner, Ryan Tafazolli, also didn’t start in the victory against the Brewers, as he was an unused sub at Adams Park.

READ MORE: 'The stuff we've been working on came to fruition' - Ainsworth's analysis after Wycombe beat Burton

Ainsworth said: “Ryan Tafazolli and Anthony Stewart have been ill.

“Ryan recovered enough to be on the bench, but Anthony didn’t recover in time so we’re going to make sure that he will be fit and well to return.

“Illnesses at this time of year, and not just the pandemic, but illnesses in general, can weaken you and in recent years, we would have had to play them.

“However, we put Chris Forino in and some might say it was a brave decision but not when you work with Chris every day and not when you can see what he can give you.

“I’m proud of him and we have got a wealth of players that are ready to come in when needed.”

On the match, the boss also revealed that while he was happy with the win, he wants his side to score more goals and take their chances.

The win has seen Wycombe move into the automatic promotion spots of the League One table as they are joint top with Rotherham United – one of the clubs that were promoted with Wanderers in 2020, and one of the clubs that went down with the Chairboys in May.

READ MORE: Wycombe continue good run as Hanlan and McCleary goals see off Burton Albion at Adams Park

The two are level on 41 points for the season, but the Millers are currently sitting in first place on goal difference, with the Yorkshire side having scored five more goals than the Chairboys, whilst also conceding 10 less.

Ainsworth continued: “You need to take your chances when you’re on top.

“How many times have we seen this?

“Game after game and you know that when you have these spells, you must take them and in the past, this club has been guilty of playing well and not taking those chances.

“But we have got some clinical finishers now with Sam Vokes, Brandon Hanlan, Garath McCleary and I’d like to get a few more [goals] in other areas and we’re working on that, but, it was great to go in at half-time 2-0 up, even though it’s a dodgy scoreline as you’re worried about how teams come at you, but we saw the game out really well.

“We could have had more but I will take the three points and now we move onto Wimbledon on Saturday.”