FORMER Blackburn Rovers apprentice Gareth Ainsworth will again miss out on the chance of facing his former club at Selhurst Park tonight.

Rovers fan Ainsworth is desperate to face his home-town club for the first time since he was released from his contract at Ewood almost a decade ago.

But the Wimbledon wide-man will again be absent, despite recently making a reserve team comeback following a year on the sidelines with a groin and stomach injury.

"I still look on Blackburn as my club because I had a season ticket for 10 years and enjoyed my time there as an apprentice," said Ainsworth.

"But since I left in 1991, I haven't been back as a player ever since and it's one of my ambitions to play against them.

"The day I signed for Wimbledon they played Rovers that day.

"Then I got injured and had to have an operation on my groin so I missed the return.

"And then soon after I got fit after that I then tore my stomach muscles which has kept me out for the best part of 16 months. o I haven't really had the best of luck.

"But I'm about three weeks away from full fitness now. And once I'm back I've already got the return game at Ewood pencilled in for March."