WANDERERS' talented crop of youngsters can go all the way to the top if they keep working hard, believes Blues boss Gareth Ainsworth.

Teenager Josh Scowen has been Wycombe's most consistent performer in recent weeks, while Charles Dunne and Matt McClure are rapidly establishing themselves as key members of the team.

And Ainsworth believes they can go on to enjoy the same levels of success as former Blues youngsters Matt Phillips and Kadeem Harris, who are both now playing in the Championship.

But he said that will only happen if they stay grounded.

Ainsworth said: "I've got the belief in them they can be top players and play higher. It's not too early [to compare them to Harris and Phillips].

"I wouldn't like people to start getting above themselves and thinking something else.

"To make a living out of the game you've got to work really hard. The talent will come through and maybe a little bit of luck later, but the hard work will never go away while I'm in charge.

"As soon as anyone stops working hard in my team, they won't be in the team.

"It's great to see they are willing to put the work in and it's improving them as players. Hopefully they can see that as well."

Ainsworth singled out McClure for praise after the Northern Ireland U21 international netted four goals in the space of two games last week.

He said: "He's always impressed me since I signed here. He's got a great eye for goal. I always classed him as one of the best finishers at the club and he's proving me right with that.

"He never refuses to shoot and he's growing in confidence every game. I've major belief he can be a double figure man for Wycombe Wanderers and hopefully he can carry on.

"Hopefully there's more to come from him in his career and he can go on in the game."

The five goals McClure has scored this season have come from just six shots on target - giving him a goals to shots ratio of 83 per cent.

Ainsworth joked: "I'll have to improve that and get it a bit better."