Alfie Mawson admits the events of a “surreal” season haven’t sunk in yet as he prepares to end his first season in professional football by playing for Wanderers at Wembley.

The defender was left contemplating his future in the game when he tore his meniscus in a development match last season and wondered whether parent club Brentford would hand him a new contract.

While injured he signed a new one-year deal with the Bees before Gareth Ainsworth bought him to Adams Park on an initial one month loan, 24 hours before the season started.

“It was a massive shock to me because I got the call on the Thursday night, I came down on the Friday and played Saturday, and I haven’t looked back,” he said.

“Initially it was a month long loan, then six and then until the end of the season. It’s brilliant, he (Ainsworth) didn’t need to give me a shot and I’m so grateful.

“He could have gone and got a mature centre back but he threw all his eggs in one basket and he chose me to play alongside my young partner. I’m so grateful and I like to think that we’ve repaid him.”

The 21-year-old was keen to make his mark in the Football League after seeing the progress of former Brentford team mate and good friend Aaron Pierre, with Mawson saying he wanted to get 15-20 games under his belt this season.

When he steps out at the national stadium on Saturday it will be his 50th appearance of the campaign – a season which has seen him named Wycombe’s Players’ Player and Fans’ Player of the year as well as picking up a host of accolades from the Official Wycombe Wanderers Supporters Association.

Mawson said: “It’s still a shock now, waking up and knowing that I’m going to be at Wembley on Saturday at the end of my first professional season in the game.

“It’s a brilliant thing for me because at the end of last season I wasn’t sure what I was going to be doing and when I saw one of my good mates (Pierre) kicking on I said ‘come on Alf, you’ve got to try and do the same’.

“It just so happens that I’ve ended up playing with him all season. He drives me mad on and off the pitch, but we get on. It’s been a surreal season, and I’m just embracing it and enjoying it.”

Chairboys fans are desperate for the youngster to stay at the club but the performances which bought him seven goals and culminated in him being nominated for the League Two Player of the Year award are unlikely to have gone unnoticed.

For now, Mawson will be channelling all his energy into helping Wanderers beat Southend to take the final place in League One next season.

“I’ll make room,” he said when asked if there’s space at home for another medal.

“I think I’ve got to give a few of them (his club awards) back to be honest, I’ll keep them for a while, take a few photos with them and then give them back.

“The main thing was that my mum was buzzing with them, so she was very proud. It was brilliant to see a smile on her face after everything that she’s done.

“I’m sure one more medal isn’t going to hurt and hopefully we can get that on Saturday.”