Gareth Ainsworth is delighted that Wycombe Wanderers have been able to keep a player of Jason McCarthy’s quality at Adams Park until January.

McCarthy, who is on loan from Southampton, extended his deal with Wycombe on tuesday and he will now stay with the Blues until Sunday, 3 January.

The 20-year-old has been an ever present at centre-back since his arrival at the club on a one-month loan deal at the start of October.

With his original deal set to expire tomorrow Ainsworth was pleased that the youngster wanted to commit his immediate future to the Adams Park club.

“It is fantastic news for us to have attracted a player like Jason to the club and that he feels he wants to stay here,” Ainsworth said.

“Every single game he has played he has improved and done really well for a young lad playing his first senior football and I’m delighted to have him here until January.”

McCarthy was captain of Southampton’s under-21 side before joining Wycombe and is held in high regard by the coaching team at St Mary’s.

The fact that Southampton – a club that prides itself in developing youngsters with impeccable credentials – has allowed McCarthy to stay on is a glowing endorsement for Ainsworth.

He said: “We are happy that Southampton have allowed us to keep Jason on until January. We work to develop connections with clubs when we loan players.

“Southampton are pleased with what they have seen from Jason while he has been with us and that is a good sign that we are doing the right things.”

McCarthy spoke positively of the efforts made to accommodate him by players and staff at the start of his loan spell and he has looked increasingly assured as time has progressed.

With a difficult Christmas schedule on the horizon Ainsworth also spoke of the importance retaining McCarthy’s services could have in keeping his small squad fresh heading into the New Year.