Gareth Ainsworth admitted Danny Rowe’s performances at centre-back against Stevenage and Tranmere have given him a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southend.

Aaron Pierre and Alfie Mawson have been the Wycombe manager’s preferred defensive pairing this season and Pierre is available to return to the team for the trip to Roots Hall after serving a two-match ban for picking up his tenth yellow card of the season against Carlisle.

The 22-year-old’s suspension opened the door for on loan Rotherham man Rowe, and he put in two accomplished performances alongside Mawson – his first appearances since the Boxing Day draw against Luton.

After the Stevenage game Ainsworth said: “Second half I thought Danny came into his own. I’ve wanted Danny to be more aggressive. He’s a very cultured ball player and you need that aggression sometimes, and against Stevenage you definitely do.

“I thought second half he had a great game. He was dinking balls into their box, sweeping everything up and I’m really pleased. He’s obviously not played much, lacking a bit of fitness but he was excellent in the second half.”

The Blues boss didn’t let on whether he will restore Pierre to the starting line-up against the sixth place Shrimpers, but he did admit there may be some fatigued players who may be in need of a rest.

“Danny’s always played second fiddle to Aaron and Alfie this season, so for him to put in a performance like that definitely opens my eyes up,” he said post Tranmere.

“We’ll see how the legs are for Saturday. If there are a few rotations then so be it. If not, we go again. Hopefully everyone will recover with no injuries, which is important for us. I’m really pleased tonight and looking forward to Saturday’s game.”

Matt McClure will miss the game after he was red carded seconds after coming on against Rovers in midweek, although Blues have lodged an appeal against the automatic three-match ban slapped on the striker for his dismissal.

One man who could be back in the frame to feature on Saturday is Marcus Bean. The midfielder travelled with his teammates to Prenton Park on Tuesday night but wasn’t in the squad.

Max Kretzschmar has been sidelined with a thigh injury since December, but he could be in line for a return in the coming weeks according to his manager.

Phil Brown’s team have lost just once on their own patch in their last nine outings, and his opposite number expects to find a team eager for revenge after a 4-1 drubbing at Adams Park in December.

“We’ve only lost one away all season, but I’m sure that Southend will be strong. They’ve signed a lot of players, they’ve got a big squad and they’re going for it,” said Ainsworth.

“They’ve got a good manager and it will be a tough game, but we have this unknown thing that’s going through us at the minute, this Wycombe Wanderers spirit that has come out of absolute disaster on the last day of last season. We don’t seem to have looked back and I’m loving it.”

Captain Paul Hayes bagged his tenth goal of the season against Tranmere as Wanderers kept up their impeccable form on the road with another three points – meaning they’re now unbeaten in ten games on their travels.

The striker said: “We’ve taken seven points out of nine which is promotion form. We’re going to Southend and it’s going to be a very, very tough game.

“They’re very good at home, but we’re going there full of confidence knowing that we’re good on the road and that we’re ready.”