Former QPR favourite Gareth Ainsworth has tipped Matt Ingram for Premier League stardom after the keeper made his Rs debut on Saturday.

Ingram, who made just shy of 150 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers, where Ainsworth is now manager, joined the Rs side in January but has had to bide his time.

Rangers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink finally handed Ingram his chance at Cardiff , the stopper keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw, much to Ainsworth's delight.

He said: “I'm unbelievably proud to be the manager who gave Matt Ingram his debut because I think he will go on to be a Premier League keeper. I'm hoping he will take his chance, but it's up to Matt now.

“He looks fondly back at Wycombe as he loved his time here, but it was time for him to move on and test himself at a higher level, I believe he will be playing in the top flight one day and everyone here will be looking on proudly at a young man from Wycombe who supports the club.

“From the ages of 17 to 19, he had a couple of years of huge growth, and I'm not just talking inches – I mean in stature. He pulled off some unbelievable saves in training, and he is one of the best one on one keepers I have ever seen.

“His calmness and temperament is fantastic. As a keeper, you either need to be crazy or as calm as anything, and he has definitely got the calmness. I've seen some crazy ones go on and do some great things, but nothing fazes Matty. He oozes confidence to those in front of him.

“I've played with and against some of the best keepers, and he's up there with the best. If we came up against Matt in a game, I know we'd have to be at our best to get past him.”

Regular custodian Alex Smithies is expected to return between the sticks when QPR travel to Brighton tomorrow evening.