MIDFIELDER Dominic Gape is hoping his loan spell at Wycombe will provide the springboard to propel him into Premiership football.

The 22-year-old headed to Adams Park from Southampton during the summer. Having seen how some of his team-mates at St Mary's have thrived, the Dorset-born midfielder is confident that he can still go all the way to the top of the football summit.

"I've got some good friends at Southampton, such as Sam McQueen who has broken into the first team. He has started at the San Siro, started at Man City and was on the bench against Chelsea on Sunday. Yet last season, he was out on loan at Southend getting some experience," explained Gape.

"Sam wasn't doing too much at the start of the season. Then an opportunity came along to get into the first team, which he grasped with both hands, and he is now a first team player playing week in, week out in the Premier League."

Gape's loan deal ends in January and then he will have to discuss with both Southampton and Wycombe what the future holds. The youngster said that he would like to stay at Wycombe, his aim is to pack in as much first team football as possible.

He has also been picking up tips from some of the more experienced pros, such as skipper Paul Hayes, on how to handle himself at League 2 and not get sucked into some of the gamesmanship on the field.

Standing at just five feet seven inches, Gape has had his fair share of injuries while graduating through the Saints Academy, something he puts down to his body adapting to the transition from youth team to senior football.

But whether it's Premiership at St Mary's or fourth tier at Adams Park, football is football is football.

"Obviously it is going to be a different style of football from Southampton to Wycombe, but at the end of the day it is still about 11 players on the pitch, there is still the same goal and everyone wants to win," added Gape.  "There are two styles of football, but having the two styles under my belt that is going to be beneficial to me.

"I’m really enjoying my time at Wycombe. I have been here a couple of months now and I am feeling really settled. I am looking to improve while I am here and build on the start.

"I just feel if you concentrate on the present on what you are doing now, the future takes care of itself."