Gareth Ainsworth believes his decision to play Jason McCarthy as a holding midfielder during Saturday’s defeat against Leyton Orient was justified.

The youngster played the full 90 minutes in the unfamiliar position after Sido Jombati returned to the starting line up at right-back.

He looked comfortable throughout and Ainsworth claimed that the Southampton loanee coped well with the demands of both screening the Wycombe back four and maintaining possession.

“Blooms (Matt Bloomfield) picked up an injury at Aston Villa and I thought Jason came in and did really well today. He got on the ball in the first half and that is when we had most of the possession,” Ainsworth said.

“Jason hasn’t done anything wrong to be out of the team and I know he can play the holding midfield role. Personally I thought Jason had a good game, he broke up the game and got on the ball well.”

McCarthy’s versatility has been a boon for Ainsworth during the 20-year-old’s time at Adams Park and he has now played at right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield during his loan spell.

He made a cameo appearance in the more advanced position during a friendly against Leeds United earlier in the season but his inclusion on Saturday was still somewhat of a surprise.

Marcus Bean, a more natural replacement for Bloomfield, has been available for three weeks after returning from injury but was an unused substitute on Saturday.

Ainsworth though was quick to highlight his selection policy is based on previous performances when quizzed on Beans exclusion from the starting XI.

He explained: “You don’t just put people back in the team because they are fit, you pick your team accordingly.

“Opportunities are vital in football, and when they come you have to take them to stay in the team and that is the game.”