Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley will have a familiar referee for the League One play-off final, which Owls striker Lee Gregory will be able to play in after tracking down his protective mask.

Gregory missed the final match of the regular season with a broken cheekbone sustained in training and could only feature in the play-off semi-finals against Peterborough United by wearing the custom-fitted protection.

It was left near the dugout in the celebrations following the Owls' dramatic second-leg win at Hillsborough, 5-1 on the night and 5-3 on penalties after a 4-0 defeat in the London Road leg. Fans invaded the pitch afterwards and in the chaos that ensured, the mask went missing.

The club appealed on Twitter for its return on Sunday afternoon, pointing out that if the striker did not get it back, he might not be able to play at Wembley in the May 29 final. They managed to track it down in just five minutes, rewarding the honest supporter with a signed Gregory shirt.

The 34-year-old striker has 11 goals this season, including Thursday night's second. Peterborough's only goal of the night was an own goal off him in extra-time but Gregory epitomised the Owls' spirit, forcing an excellent save with an overhead kick at one point.

He was substituted before the penalty shoot-out.

Bradford City left-back Liam Ridehalgh considered playing in a mask in last month’s League Two game against Gillingham after breaking his nose against Swindon Town four days earlier, but without time for a custom-made one, found it too uncomfortable.

"We tried a mask but I looked ridiculous so I thought I'd leave it and I was fine," said Ridehalgh, whose nose was reset after the Gills game.

MAN IN THE MASK: Lee Gregory celebrates his goal on Thursday

"It was more a comfort thing, it was quite a big mask. The guys in the Premier League wear quite slim ones but we didn't have time to get a custom-made one with the quick turnaround."

It has been announced Tim Robinson will referee his third Wednesday-Barnsley derby.

He has twice overseen games between the sides at Oakwell, in February 2020 and March 2021, but has not refereed either this season because with the exception of February's game between Portsmouth and Burton Albion, all his league games have been in the top two division, mainly the Championship.

All three play-off finals will have video assistant referees with Tony Harrington on duty for the League One showpiece.

Familiar referee for Sheffield Wednesday-Barnsley FC final and striker available after fan comes to the rescue