Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday - Big-game experience key for Owls, insists Sam Winnall

While the Owls will embark on only their third end-of-season odyssey, Town are preparing for their ninth play-off sojourn since their inception in 1987.

But keeping in that same experience theme, Wednesday striker Sam Winnall believes that there is one major caveat to consider.

Namely, that in terms of recent history, the Owls can draw upon the experiences – good and bad – of last season’s run to the Championship final at Wembley.

In marked contrast, the majority of Town players are now in virgin territory – with the club also never having appeared in the second-tier play-offs either, let alone potentially stride out in a marquee final at the home of football.

For ex-Barnsley striker Winnall, two Wembley experiences in the space of 57 days last spring proved distinctly memorable, with the Reds following up Johnstone’s Paint Trophy glory by beating Millwall in the League One play-off final.

And the 26-year-old believes that the Owls’ recent big-game experience at the sharp end of a season will also count for a lot ahead of their second consecutive play-off sortie.

Winnall, hoping to be involved against a Town side who provided the opposition for his Wednesday debut in a 2-0 Hillsborough win back in January, said: “I think the biggest thing is experience.

“You look at the Barnsley team last season, we played at Wembley a month or so before and then we played again and were 2-0 up within 10 minutes and it was game over. Having that experience of Wembley and knowing what it is like holds us in good stead.

“The lads here played there last year and everyone who was in the squad has that level of play-off experience and, hopefully, that will hold us in good stead.”