Gareth Ainsworth has spoken for the first time about his decision to return to the First Team ranks solely as a player.

Having been named as part of Iain Dowie's backroom staff at the start of last season and then gone on to fill in as Caretaker Manager on two occasions during the 2008/09 campaign, Ainsworth made new R's gaffer Jim Magilton aware of his intentions to be treated solely as a playing professional earlier this summer.

And speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk about the decision, Ainsworth said: "I think the best thing for everyone was for me to get back to being a player. Not for me, not for anyone else - but for QPR.

"Last season came a little bit too early for me. We needed a fresh start this summer and the new set-up here is looking great."

Ainsworth added: "It's still very early days, but we're looking really sharp.

"It's great to be around the lads again and I'm loving every minute.

"The gaffer knows what he's going to get from me - the leadership, the fitness and the will-to-win. I'll always keep grafting for this Football Club."

*You can hear more of Gareth Ainsworth's exclusive thoughts tomorrow on QPR World, when - amongst other things - he discusses an agonising final hole defeat to Martin Rowlands and Gavin Mahon for himself and Peter Ramage at the Hotel Livada golf course.