Joe Jacobson will realise a lifelong dream when he steps out at Wembley on May 23 – a dream which has been a long time coming.

In 2007 the Welshman missed out on playing at the then brand new national stadium, not once but twice, when he was on loan at Bristol Rovers.

Having previous played in the Johnstone’s Paint trophy for parent club Cardiff, the defender was cup tied as The Gas lost 3-2 to Doncaster in the final, which was held in April.

One month later he was again in the stands to see his loan club at Wembley, as they won the League Two play-off final against Shrewsbury – Jacobson had played in both semi-final ties but his 93-day loan expired just days before the final.

“I’ve missed out a couple of times in the play-offs – not getting to the final or loans finishing, so, for me, I’m buzzing,” he said.

“I played in the two semi-finals and couldn’t play in the final. I was there but I didn’t feel like I was part of it.

“Every young kid wants to play at Wembley and we’ve got a chance now to do that. We’re not going to go there any just enjoy the day. We will enjoy it but want to go there and win.

“If we play like we have done in the last two games then it gives us a massive chance.”

Victory at Wembley on May 23 would cap a fine first season at the club for Jacobson, who would be heading back to League One alongside his previous club Shrewsbury, who told him by phone that he was being released last summer – despite winning the Player of the Year award.

Gareth Ainsworth wasted little time in snapping the 28-year-old up on a two-year deal in July, and Jacobson feels the man who bought him to Adams Park deserves the plaudits for taking Wanderers to Wembley.

“He’s been unbelievable for me,” he said.

“He’s given the lads licence to play, to express themselves. He’s never hammered the lads for a poor performance or got too over excited for a good one and I think that shows great level headedness for him.

“I think he’s got a great future in the game but we want to keep him here. He’s been brilliant with us and with a tight budget and a small squad he’s recruited well.

“Over the summer he bought in some good experience and some good young players. To find gems like Alfie Mawson, 24 hours before the season started, can only be a good thing.”

The left-back returned from injury in time for the first leg of the semi-final against Plymouth and played his part in the second leg victory by assisting Alfie Mawson’s goal.

Wanderers were the aggressors for the majority of the two ties and that’s not about to change when they play for the chance to secure promotion, according to Jacobson.

“A lot of managers and teams would have come in to the game with a 1-0 lead thinking ‘let’s sit back and absorb pressure’ which would have been a negative way to play.

“We played three strikers with a one goal lead and even towards the end he bought on two more. The way he sets us up is brilliant.

“We want to attack, we want to score goals and we want to win games, and we’ll be doing that in the final.”