Lee Bowyer has revealed the key steps he'll be taking this weekend to ensure his Charlton players are not over-awed on the big stage.

They face Sunderland on Sunday in the play-off final with a place in the Championship at stake. The Black Cats have recent Wembley experience, having played there in April against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy.

The last time Charlton were there was 1998, two decades ago, when they beat Sunderland for a place in the Premier League.

Some of Charlton's players may have played on the big stage before, but Bowyer is taking no chances when it comes to visiting the home of English football.

"Apparently we’re allowed to go and look around the place either Thursday or Friday," he told London News Online. “We’ll head up there and have a look, I think it’s best to do that."

With a collection of players from all backgrounds, he has some who have not experienced the biggest stage in our domestic game before and he's keen to ensure they don't get engulfed by the occasion.

“Some might get overwhelmed with the place. So we’ll go before and they can all take pictures and what they want to do, so when they turn up Sunday it is not all new to them.”

Lyle Taylor and Johnny Williams are two of the current squad who have been to Wembley, but as a club Charlton have not experienced the new ground, with their last visit coming before the famous Twin Towers were knocked down and replaced by the iconic arch.

The Verdict

The more I hear and see from Lee Bowyer, the more impressed I am. Nothing can quite replicate running out to a packed Wembley, but having a look around will give them an idea of what to expect at the weekend.

It's going to be a cauldron of noise between two huge teams; is it the biggest ever League One play-off final? Very possibly.