Wycombe defender Chris Forino has revealed that he ‘couldn’t have dreamed to be in this scenario’, following his rapid rise to the Wanderers first team.

The 21-year-old, who has played four first-team games for the club, penned a new deal that will keep him at the Adams Park outfit until 2024.

This comes after he impressed Gareth Ainsworth and his backroom staff in matches that he has started in – most notably in the 2-2 draw away at Hartlepool in November and in the 2-1 home win over Burton last week.

The former Colchester United centre back scored in the cup match versus the Pools, before being named as the man of the match in the victory over the Brewers.

Speaking on his achievements over the last few weeks, he said: “I’m always grateful.

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“I’m not knocking on the gaffer’s door or anything like that.

“I know I have to bide my time and you look at Olly Pendlebury – he is two years younger than me and he got his opportunity before me, but, there wasn’t any worry or panic for me as I knew what I had to do at the training ground.

“Day in, day out and on my days off as well.

“I do things right now.

“At the start of this year, I couldn’t have dreamed to be in this scenario.

“I have been here seven/eight months, pretty much came in as a nobody and as the gaffer mentioned, I came here to make up numbers for a trial game at Bisham, performed well, earned myself a trial and it’s been a hard graft.

“Recovering from a knee injury for the last five months and then playing in the Papa John’s games has been a great learning experience.”

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The last eight months have propelled Forino from a university student to a League One footballer, who has since admitted that 'the sky is the limit', following his promotion to the first team this season.

He has deputised for first choice centre-backs in Anthony Stewart and Ryan Tafazolli when the duo have been out injured, and with the former giving him tips and advice during training, he hopes to continue his good form when given his next opportunity.

Forino, who wasn’t in the squad to face Wimbledon on Saturday, continued: “I have always loved to play professional football, but to do it full time, it has been amazing.

“I remember speaking to Tools (Anthony Stewart) after one training session and I was picking up so many tips and little habits.

“I knew after that halfway through my trial that I would stick it out, playing football, because, this club has shown me that playing full time football is a pleasure.

Finally, the fan favourite revealed that he only found out he was starting his first-ever league match less than two hours before the fixture against Burton kicked-off.

He said: “I think if I got told the day before, I don’t think I would have slept.

READ MORE: 'Chris came here to make up the numbers at first' - Ainsworth on Forino's rise to the first team

“I got told about an hour and 20 minutes before kick-off.

“So there were about 20 minutes of jitters and nerves, but I managed to sort myself out.

"Once I step onto the pitch, there is a narrow focus as I am focused on the game.

“I’m not too sure where to put the ceiling now, as a year ago, I couldn’t imagine it, so the sky is the limit.

“We have got great support at home and I can’t wait for Boxing Day.”

Wycombe’s next home match is against Cambridge United on December 26.