YOUTH: We're all looking forward to it

"We've picked the team for Wednesday already so there won't be any surprises," he said. 

"Brad [Staunch] is unfortunately out, but we knew that would be the case as soon as he came off in the northern final. That's why Jake Chisholm didn't play on Saturday. The side which finished against Walsall will be the side which plays."

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United: Parker, Gwinnutt, Morse, Chisholm, Minor, Thomson, Berwick, Lynch, Brough, Dempsey, Salmon. Subs - Brass, McEvoy, Wallace, Hodgson, Clarey.

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"We're all looking forward to it," he admitted. "It's a great achievement for the lads because we try to get here every year. 

"The competition starts in November, and the final isn't until April, which means you very rarely see the same side play if you do get there. To be fair to the players who have been released, they've all said they want to have a go at it, and they deserve it. 

"I just hope we put on a decent performance so the lads who are leaving us after that game can go away with smiles on their faces and some happy memories." 

"Bristol Rovers have lost one game all season, so they're obviously a decent side," he added. "They've won their league and were only narrowly beaten by Chelsea in the FA Youth cup, so they're no mugs. 

"I had a chat to the Watford coach about them and he gave me some insight into how they played in the semi-final, when they beat them. There's no doubt about the fact that it will be a difficult game."

"We'll be ready for it and we should have the advantage with being at home, because we won't have had any travelling," he continued. "I think if we play to our potential then they will have to play very well to beat us. 

"There'll be a few nerves but I'll just tell them to make sure they enjoy it, especially with it being their last game together. It will be a nice way for the second years who are leaving us to sign off and a good platform to build on for the ones who are staying with us. 

"The first years who play will learn a lot. I'll be telling them to remember how good the experience is and to make sure we can do it again next year." 

"I spoke to John [Ward] and he's going to come up for the game," he concluded. "It will be nice to see him again and he was always a good supporter of the youth side of things. He wouldn't tell me anything about their team other than he was very happy with them, but I would never expect him to. 

"The best thing for me now will be to see Tom [Berwick] lift that cup because he has been a great captain for us. He'll be successful in whatever he does next because he's got a great attitude and personality. He's been fantastic to have around for two years and it would be really nice to see him go up and lift the trophy on our behalf."