THIS is Oxford United’s third visit to Wembley, but never before will their squad at the national stadium have had such a strong homegrown flavour.

Kevin Brock and Andy Thomas were the Oxfordshire-born players for the U’s in the 1986 Milk Cup squad, while there were none in the 2010 Conference play-off final.

This time around there is likely to be at least four – Kidlington pair Josh Ruffels and Callum O’Dowda, Oxford’s Josh Ashby and Sam Long, from Bicester.

The latter has had a rotten year with injuries, which meant his substitute appearance on Monday was his first competitive action since the fourth round Johnstone’s Paint Trophy success against Yeovil Town.

The return of Jonjoe Kenny from international duty with England Under 19s may mean Long will have to make do with a place on the bench.

But whatever role the 21-year-old is asked to play, the right back stressed how special it will be to represent his local club on the grandest stage of all.

He said: “It would mean everything, playing at Wembley is the pinnacle.

“It would mean the world to me even if I could get a minute on the pitch.

“But it’s all about the team and if the gaffer chooses the team and I’m not in it I’ve just got to support those who are, just as it would be the other way around.”