IF Matt Jansen needs some inspiration in his bid to get his career back on track then he should look no further than the example set by Gareth Ainsworth.

I remember Gareth when he was a young apprentice in the days when Don Mackay was Rovers' manager.

Back then, he was a young lad who could sometimes be a bit cheeky and I must admit I had my doubts about whether or not he would ever be good enough to make it in the game.

When he got shown the door by Blackburn in 1991, he must have been tempted to jack it all, but it's a testimony to his character and determination that he's since gone on to make a decent career for himself in the game, even playing in the Premiership at one point when he was at Wimbledon.

Anyone looking to make their way in football could do a loss worse than take a leaf out of Gareth's book because when he was rejected as a kid, he never, ever gave up on his dreams.

No matter what life has thrown at him, Gareth has always had belief in himself and he quickly learnt that if one club doesn't fancy you then there could be another one that does.

Now Matt Jansen needs to start thinking along similar lines if he's to get his own career back on track after Rovers agreed to terminate his contract earlier this week.

What's happened to Matt over the last three years is nothing short of tragic.

Before his accident, Matt was one of the finest strikers in the Premiership but sadly for him - and Rovers - he hasn't been able to rediscover the spark he had before the summer of 2002.

I really wish Matt the very best of luck in his bid to salvage his career, but if he is going to bounce back elsewhere then he must show the same character and determination that has got Gareth where he is today.

letsport@the-let.co.uk