Wycombe Wanderers attacker Kieran Sadlier has admitted that this weekend’s EFL final against Peterborough United will be ‘extra special’ for several reasons.
The 29-year-old, who joined the Chairboys in September following his departure from Bolton Wanderers in the summer, missed out on playing in showpiece in both the 2022 and 2023 versions of the competition.
Two years ago, Sadlier played in all of Rotherham’s games in the cup scoring four times, before a move to Bolton followed in January 2022.
He would miss out on featuring in the Millers’ semi win against Hartlepool United, and then glory at Wembley as the Yorkshire-based team defeated Sutton United 4-2 in the final.
A season later, he would once again play in six of the eight EFL Trophy matches but this time for the Trotters, netting three times.
But a loan move to Leyton Orient followed last January, which meant he once again missed out on featuring in the semis and then final, where Bolton defeated Accrington Stanley and Plymouth Argyle respectively.
He did however win promotion to League One with the Os last season.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: “I’ve had to sit two of the finals in the crowd supporting the boys and not being on the pitch, and I played near enough to every round before, but when it got to the semi-finals, I made the decision to leave both clubs.
“When we got to the semis this year, I was ill so I had to watch it in a hotel room up in Bradford where we won it near the end.
“So yeah, it’s extra special for me to go out there and play.
“I got a medal last year from Bolton, but unless you played in the final, you don’t feel like it’s yours.
“One of my targets this season after we got through the earlier rounds was to reach Wembley, and we’ve worked to get here.
“It’ll be a chance to play at Wembley and I’m looking forward to it.
“What will be will be.”
There’s also an added spice for the ex-West Ham United, as he had a very brief spell against Peterborough earlier in his career.
He spent six months of the 2015/16 at the London Road club, where he played just one match.
He continued: “I’ll face anybody but yes, my record against them is pretty good.
“They’re a good team and have produced players that have got to the team.
“They’ve got very talented players.”
Sadlier scored in the recent 5-2 win over the Posh in February.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article