Matt Ingram says returning to Adams Park as part of a rival team was a surreal experience after playing for QPR in their 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers.

The 22-year-old played 140 times for Gareth Ainsworth’s side before making the move to Loftus Road in January.

Friday’s match was the first Ingram has played at Adams Park since the switch and provided him with a strange mix of emotions.

“It was very strange walking into the away dressing room,” he explained.

“It was nice coming back. The fans gave me a great reception, both sets of fans, and it was nice to keep a clean sheet as well.

“It was weird playing against ex-teammates and I knew basically the whole team. It was nice and at the same time good for me that they didn’t score otherwise I would never hear the end of it.”

Ingram was largely untroubled throughout the match, but did give Wanderers fans a reminder of his class with a superb stop to deny Sam Wood in the second half.

The save further highlighted the disparity in options Wycombe boast in goal compared to this time last year, with Ainsworth still without a permanent number one.

The Blues boss will have to address the situation before the season starts on August 6, but Ingram believes he has strengthened well in other areas.

He says the acquisition of Adebayo Akinfenwa will have a positive impact and insists the club is set to enjoy a prosperous 2016/17 campaign.

“I think Akinfenwa is a great transaction. The way Wycombe have been playing the last few years when I have been there has been fairly direct,” Ingram explained.

“Having someone like Akinfenwa up top who can bring the ball down and bring other players into the game will definitely help.

“I think they will be right up there because that style of football works in League Two. They have proven that in the last couple of seasons.”

Ingram, who joined Wanderers as a 12-year-old, will spend much of next season competing with Alex Smithies for the right to be Rangers’ first choice.

His first six months with the Championship side have brought four appearances to date and he is aware of the need to continue improving.

Of course, life in English football’s second tier comes with fresh challenges, but Ingram feels his time at Wycombe suitably prepared him for the step up.

“It is very different. I have been working a lot on using my feet because it is becoming more of the goalkeeper’s game now,” Ingram said.

“I have had to try and adapt and change to the style of football in the Championship which I am enjoying. I am loving the challenge.

“Nothing compares to experience and having the 140 games at Wycombe put me in good stead. The players might be better, the ball might move quicker, but at the same time it is just 22 players on a pitch.”

While Friday’s game was Ingram’s first time back at Adams Park in a playing capacity, he has returned as a fan since his departure.

It is a trend which he hopes to continue next year should a hectic playing schedule allow him to do so.

Ingram said: “If I get a free weekend and Wycombe are playing I will definitely be down.

"This is where it all started for me when I was 12, so it is a club which is very close to my heart.”