LUKE O’NIEN is hoping Sunderland’s extensive Wembley experience will be crucial when they return to the national stadium to take on Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final this weekend.

Saturday’s game will be the Black Cats’ fourth Wembley outing in as many seasons, with last term’s Papa John’s Trophy victory over Tranmere Rovers following 2019’s defeats to Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic in the Checkatrade Trophy and play-off final respectively.

O’Nien started all three of those matches, and while a number of his team-mates only joined in the last 12 months, the versatile midfielder is nevertheless convinced that Sunderland’s recent Wembley experience will help tilt things in their favour.

“I think the experience of being there last year and winning it will help,” said O’Nien, who made more than 100 senior appearances for Saturday’s opponents, Wycombe, before moving to Sunderland in the summer of 2018. “We’ve been there, and we’ve done it.

“I think the experience of the last few years before that will help as well. The people who have been there can pass that experience on to the youngsters. I’ve changed as a player from going to there for the first time to what will be the fourth time now.

“I think experience is going to help, the fanbase is going to help, then you’ve got the experience of the whole season and the lessons that we’ve learned. If we can put all of that together, and put the work together like we have over the last 15 or 20 games, then we’ll give ourselves the best possible chance of getting a result.”

Sunderland’s promotion hopes looked to be in tatters when they suffered a mid-season blip that cost former head coach Lee Johnson his job in February.

But since losing at home to MK Dons in Alex Neil’s second game in charge, the Black Cats have embarked on a 15-game unbeaten run which culminated in last Monday’s thrilling semi-final second leg draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Patrick Roberts’ stoppage-time equaliser took Sunderland to Wembley, and having returned from injury to play an increasingly prominent role under Neil, O’Nien feels his side are peaking at the best possible time.

“We had a tough run 20-odd games ago, but since then, we’ve put a good run of form together,” he said. “I think it’s the best time to do it. We had a good start to the season, then we had a bit of a dip, but if you can learn from those dips, which it looks like we have, then you can put a run together like now, and there’s no better time to do it.”

O’Nien and his team-mates will head to London at the end of this week in a confident mood, with the backing of more than 40,000 supporters another factor that should work in their favour.

“The support we’ve had since I’ve joined the club, let alone this season, has been incredible,” said O'Nien, in an interview with Sunderland's official website.

“You saw the turnout at the Stadium of Light for Sheffield Wednesday, and the previous years at Wembley. Everyone’s trying to get tickets for it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s people hanging off the arch trying to get a seat from there!

“You can see what the fanbase does for us. It’s got us some crucial last-minute goals, and it keeps the boys running right to the final whistle. The fanbase are incredible, and it’s going to be a special day. We’ve just got to make sure we put on a performance they can be proud of.”