MATT Ingram has joined the likes of England internationals Wilfried Zaha and Steven Caulker after being named the Football League’s Young Player of the Month.

The High Wycombe-born goalkeeper picked up September's award for marshalling for the Football League's meanest defence as Wanderers went the month unbeaten.

Ingram is only the seventh League Two player to receive the gong since it was first awarded in December 2009, and the fourth-ever goalkeeper.

Other previous winners of the award include Chelsea winger Victor Moses, £5million striker Britt Assombalonga and former Wanderers winger Matt Phillips, who won it as a Blackpool player in January 2012.

Ingram said: "It's a pleasant surprise. It was announced in the analysis of the Exeter game. The gaffer said afterwards, 'Someone's won this award - congratulations Matty, it's you.' That was a nice touch, and the lads gave me a round of applause.

"It's not just for me, it's the back four and the team that's won it for our defensive record. We had the best defence in the Football League after ten games and it's testament to everyone here, and the back four especially, in keeping clean sheets and helping me out.

"There's some great names on the list and I'm privileged to be one of them now. Obviously I'd like to further my career but at the moment I'm fully concentrated on Wycombe - that's all I'm worried about."

The former John Hampden Grammar School pupil made his debut for his hometown team in March 2013 and has made 77 consecutive appearances since then.

His manager Gareth Ainsworth said: "It's fantastic for Matt Ingram. He's making a name for himself as one of the top keepers in League Two and one of the top young English keepers in the country.

"It's not before time he's been recognised. He's had some outstanding performances, and I'm quite amazed he's been overlooked.

"Without doubt he's a role model. He's a Wycombe born boy, he's got his head screwed on, he's very intelligent. I'm sure he'll get his rewards now and later in his career.

"Not a lot of clubs have a player born in their town who's an absolute stalwart of their club at 20 years old, but Matty is that."