Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth hailed Gary Doherty as one of the best professionals he's ever worked with after the defender was forced to retire this week.

The veteran former Ireland international decided to hang up his boots after failing to recover from a serious knee injury sustained in Wanderers' final friendly of the summer at Barnet.

Doherty made 60 appearances for the club, having made his initial loan transfer from Charlton Athletic into a permanent deal two years ago.

Ainsworth said the 34-year-old central defender was a perfect role model for the younger Wanderers players, and his character would be missed by the squad.

The Blues boss said: "It's impossible to sum up what Gary's brought to the club and what he's brought to football.

"He's one of the best professionals I have ever worked with. With his application and his attitude, it's no wonder he's played at the top level.

"He's a really nice guy and willing to listen and willing to learn. Respect oozes from Gary Doherty, which is something you don't see too often in players nowadays.

"He's a huge loss in the dressing room. He's always there for the boys. He's our biggest fan when he's not playing - he was there Saturday against Southend and was one of the first to say, 'brilliant, gaffer'. He will be a huge loss to football and a big loss to Wycombe Wanderers.

"Centre halves who've played with him, with his calm attitude and never getting flustered, they've taken lots from him. If you look at Gary Doherty as a role model you won't go too far wrong.

"You don't play at the top level like he has for no reason."

Doherty started his career at Luton Town and went on to make 501 professional appearances in his career for the Hatters, Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, Charlton and Wanderers, in addition to winning 34 caps for the Irish.

He scored on his Blues debut in a 5-0 win over Hartlepool in February 2012 - one of four strikes he netted for the club.

His final appearance came in February against Chesterfield, when he broke his elbow and had to miss the rest of the campaign.

He played in the majority of Blues' pre season fixtures in the summer before picking up the career-ending knee problem in August.