Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth is backing Jason McCarthy to bounce back from a difficult outing against Hartlepool United on Saturday.

The defender was given a testing time by Pool debutant Nathan Thomas who skipped past the Southampton loanee to set up the only goal in the 1-0 defeat.

McCarthy had been left chasing shadows on two occasions in the opening half hour but Ainsworth was quick to defend the 20-year-old.

When asked whether McCarty would learn from the experience Ainsworth said: “Of course, League Two is a tough place to learn.”

“Their left winger did have a good first half and did put a good cross in for the goal, but Jason McCarthy is a fantastic player.”

McCarthy has been an ever present since arriving at Adams Park in October and has become an important member of the Wycombe back four.

Though he is a centre-back by trade he has been deployed at right-back for much of his loan and performed admirably in both positions.

He did however struggle to deal with the pace of Thompson, whose direct runs caused repeated problems for the Blues until he was withdrawn through injury in the second half.

Ainsworth though was quick to highlight a consistency to McCarthy’s game that suggests that Saturday’s troubles were an anomaly.

He said: “You can count on one hand the amount of mistakes he has made since being here and that is a testament to him and his ability.

“He is a fantastic young man, with a fantastic career ahead of him. These things happen but he can go on to play at a higher level.”

With his loan deal set to expire on Wednesday, 3 February, McCarthy will hope to solidify Ainsworth’s confidence in him for the remainder of his stay.