Gareth Ainsworth says Wycombe fans need only see a Youtube video of new man Luke O’Nien in order to see some of the qualities which persuaded him to make the midfielder his seventh summer signing.

During his time at previous club Watford, the 20-year-old took up the challenge of seeing how many kick-ups he could do with a tennis ball, and after being set what most would consider to be a respectable target of 39 to beat, he proceeded to leave those watching gobsmacked.

Four minutes and 22 seconds after starting the ball finally hit the floor, but only after O’Nien had kept up the ball up a mammoth 478 times.

Of course, his skills with a football are of greater importance to the Wanderers manager but the youngster’s enthusiasm for any challenge, particularly for carving out a career in the game, has impressed Ainsworth.

“His energy is something else,” he said. “If anyone gets to see the Youtube clip of him keeping a tennis ball up – that’s him, he’s up for any challenge.

“He’s a work in progress, but with all the raw attributes to succeed in the game. Him and Ryan Sellers have an enthusiasm that is just there. They want it so much, they want to learn – Michael Harriman, Danny Rowe – they’re good kids to work with, and Luke just fits in the group well.

“He never gives up, in training he’s a great character to have around, but they all are. I’m not singling anyone out. Right from the youngest player, Danny Rowe, right up to the oldest player, Thommo (Garry Thompson), they all fit well, they’re all together and that’s the way we’ll have success this year.”

Former Hornets boss Beppe Sannino was known to admire the way the young professional applied himself in games and in training, and after he was released by the club following their promotion to the Premier League last season, he came “highly recommended” to Ainsworth.

After impressing on trial the Blues boss handed O’Nien an initial one-year deal. The youngster made only one professional appearance for Watford, the club he joined at nine-years-old, but Ainsworth can see him contributing for his new club in a variety of positions.

During pre-season games he has played in midfield and as part of the back four – a trait which should come in handy should injuries deplete Wanderers’ small squad.

Ainsworth said: “He’s a fantastic trainer. His enthusiasm, his desire, his will to win is amazing, and it’s frightening what he’s prepared to do to succeed in the game.

“That’s one half of the battle and the other side is the tactical side and the football side and I hope to improve him on that.

“It’s not just him, there’s of them at the club now, youngsters that are very hungry for a career in the game and it’s great to be able to work with them. They’ll listen, they’ll do what you say and I can’t ask any more than that.”

Watch the video, filmed by the Hornets media team, below: