Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has heaped praise on Luke O’Nien after the midfielder scored the winner against Yeovil Town on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old has developed a growing reputation in the heart of midfield since arriving from Wealdstone this summer.

As well as being impressed with his performances Ainsworth also spoke glowingly of the attitude O’Nien has shown that he feels is a rarity in the modern game.

“He has got something special that you don’t see that much in football anymore but was common place 20 years ago,” he explained.

“He is so thankful to be a professional footballer and treats every game like it is his last. You don’t often get that in young players and they take it a bit for granted sometimes.

“Luke gives absolutely everything and that is all you want form him as a manager and as a fan.”

The former Watford academy player is in his first year of both League Two and senior professional football and has found the net three times already this term.

He has taken to the professional game with ease and has quickly established himself as one of the first names on the Wycombe team sheet.

Ainsworth says O’Nien’s rise comes as little surprise as he showcased all the ability to thrive in the division during his summer trial at Adams Park.

He said: “We have no money so we have to get these gems in from non-league football. We got a couple of tip offs last year so decided to watch him.

“He came down and had a week long trial and I would have signed him after the first day he did so well, he doesn’t know that of course.

“He is the epitome of what Wycombe Wanderers are at the moment with his never say die attitude and the fight he has.”

It is an attitude that O’Nien brings to training as well as match days and Ainsworth claimed that players in the squad hate to face him because of his tenacity.

That attitude will stand him in good stead in a career that Ainsworth feels could see him reach the higher echelons of the game.

Away form the pitch, Ainsworth views the signing of O’Nien as indicative of a club that has to operate against teams that they simply could not compete with financially.

Ainsworth said: “People are paying loan players amounts I couldn’t even pay my top players. It is really pleasing to see these young kids who are willing to run through brick walls for the team and that is all you can ask of people.”

O’Nien also made his appreciation of the faith shown in him by the manager that has seen him start ahead of more experienced players clear.

He said: “I’m absolutely loving life at Wycombe Wanderers and I have to thank the gaffer for giving me more opportunities to play here when no one else would.

“Hopefully I can keep playing well and continue to repay that faith he has shown in me since I arrived.”