Cameron Dawson and Will de Havilland gave Wycombe Wanderers fans reason for optimism as they produced composed displays on their senior debuts against Bristol City.

Wanderers went down to a 1-0 defeat in the EFL Cup first round clash but the two 21-year-olds were resolute throughout.

For Dawson, it was a particularly testing experience as he took to the field just hours after signing on an emergency seven-day loan as cover for the injured Scott Brown.

Regardless of the situation, Dawson coped admirably with everything City threw at him and impressed manager Gareth Ainsworth in the process.

“Me and Barry Richardson (goalkeeper coach) have had a hell of a night believe me. We have had keepers in, keepers out, clubs changing their minds and moving the goalposts,” Ainsworth said.

“I wanted to get the right person in and I think Cameron Dawson came in and did outstandingly.

“I think he is a great prospect for Sheffield Wednesday and we will see what we can do with him.”

The length of Dawson’s loan suggests Brown’s injury is not too serious, but Ainsworth admitted the former Aberdeen man could be out for a couple of weeks.

Ainsworth stopped short of suggesting Dawson had done enough to earn a longer stay at the club and he will need to grab the opportunity he has been given to prove himself.

Ainsworth said: “He has had a 90 minute trial and has come up trumps. He looks like a solid keeper and is a great individual who wants to be here.”

Dawson’s stay may prove to be fleeting, but de Havilland is set for a longer spell at Adams Park.

He made some telling defensive interventions and Ainsworth is pleased to have added competition to the centre-back duopoly of Aaron Pierre and Anthony Stewart.

“Will de Havilland played in the under-21s last year and was playing against a £15m plus player in Tammy Abraham and you couldn’t see the difference,” he said.

“That is great and puts us in good stead with Anthony and Aaron as well.

“Will is solid. He is a big lad, loves a tackle and a header, but he can play. He has got a good left and right foot and can pass as well.”