FOR someone who has only been captain for a handful of games, the prospect of leading a team out at Wembley might seem daunting.

But as with virtually everything else this season, Rob Dickie has taken it in his stride.

Oxford United boss Karl Robinson has used the armband to reward or inspire players at different times in the last two seasons.

Dickie was chosen partly because it allowed him to speak to referees more often, with the theory being captains could talk more before getting into trouble.

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With a suspension looming in February it was worth a try, but the 24-year-old has also led with quiet authority.

“It means a huge deal to me to captain this group of players,” he said.

“I’m so proud to lead them out every time. It’s an amazing group of not just players but characters as well.

“To wear the armband is a huge responsibility.

“I can’t wait for Monday.”

He added: “It’s the biggest game of my life.

“Not only to get promoted from a selfish point of view, but it would mean the world to me to get Oxford United up.”

The opening also came about because of an injury to John Mousinho, who is fit again but his only action in the semi-final was to smash in a penalty seconds after coming off the bench.

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It is likely boss Karl Robinson will stick with the same defence which squeezed past Portsmouth for the Sky Bet League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers.

But Dickie will still defer to the veteran.

He said: “Mous is the club captain and he’s a really well-respected figure.

“I talk a lot about characters and he’s a huge one in our dressing room.

“We all look up to him in times of need and he will have a huge role to play on Monday.”

Mousinho and Elliott Moore can both reflect on excellent seasons individually, but tellingly they have been fighting for one spot in the team.

When Dickie has been available, he has played after developing hugely since leaving Reading in January 2018.

“At the time I said I wanted to go somewhere that wanted me and I could settle down,” he said.

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“I’d been on loan at a few places and I was looking for a club I could play regularly.

“Thankfully I’ve found that here and I’d like to repay the club with promotion to the Championship.

“I’ve always believed in myself as a player and my qualities.

“It’s taken me a while to really show Oxford United fans what I’m made of, but the last 18 months I’m proud of the way I’ve played.”

Getting back into the second tier, where he played just once for the Royals, was always the aim.

And while Dickie is suitably wary of Wycombe, he feels the U’s are ready to go up.

He said: “It’s a proper football club and they do things really well.

“I just think it’s a club that deserves it’s opportunity to be in the Championship and prove they belong.

“I’m most impressed by the level of performance, we’ve consistently played really well.

“We’ve outplayed a lot of teams the way we like to play and hopefully Monday will be no different.

“We have huge respect for Wycombe, it’s two really honest sides with contrasting styles of play and it will be a really interesting game.”