The surgeon said, 'We break your breastbone and move your ribs to get to your heart', I looked at Donna and there were tears running down her face

AINSWORTH OPENS UP ON THE SHOCKING SURGERY THAT ROCKED HIS WORLD

- - BY NEIL SQUIRES

WHETHER he was on the touchline animatedly issuing instructions or in the television studio as a pundit, Gareth Ainsworth always had style.

Rock star mane flowing down his back and shirt unbuttoned with his chest out for all to see. It was an image he made his own, but who knew what was really going on inside? The chest now has a shark attack scar.

Today's League Two match between Gillingham and Crawley will be his second game at the Priestfield Stadium since one of English football's best-loved managers underwent open-heart surgery six weeks ago.

Last Saturday, the 52-year-old watched from the gantry in his first match back as the Gills won 1-0 at Bristol Rovers thanks to a second-half goal from Max Clark.

And on Tuesday he was in the stands for the home game in the Vertu Trophy as his side lost 3-0 to Wycombe.

The result mattered of course, but it mattered more that he was back.

"I've got such a special club behind me," said Ainsworth. "Some of the letters I got and some of the messages were fantastic.