(Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

Ashley Fletcher  played in two finals at Wembley last season and scored in both while  on loan at Barnsley.

He was on the mark in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final against Oxford and returned a month later when he scored the opening goal in the League One Play-Off Final win over Millwall which saw The Tykes promoted to the Championship.

Having made a big impression when arriving as a sub late on last Sunday he is hoping for a role in tonight’s big Cup clash and even a return visit to the national stadium later on.

He told the official site: “I have got special memories of playing at Wembley. For me to get there a third time, especially for West Ham in such a big game, would just be unbelievable.

“If we play like we did on Sunday then we have a big chance of winning the game.

“Any cup run is important because if you win the competition, the confidence can only help you in other games.

“We had a similar thing at Barnsley last season after winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy because we then went back for the Play-Off Final and it wasn’t a problem for us because we had been there before and didn’t have any nerves.

“It gives you the platform to move forward in the season and do well.”

Fletcher will be making another emotional return to Old Trafford on Wednesday night and if so will be hoping for the sort of chance he had late on in the League game.

He said: “It was one of those chances that if I had hit the ball either side of De Gea, the ball would have gone in, but the angle I found myself in, I could only strike the ball straight at him.

“I will have a lot of family and friends watching once again so hopefully I can put a chance away in this game!

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better since I joined West Ham. I came thinking that I would hopefully be a player for the future but that if I impressed I would get my chance.

“I scored a few goals in pre-season and the manager, Slaven Bilic said, ‘You’re not going anywhere. I want you to stay with us and be part of the senior squad.’

“That was a huge confidence booster for me and since then I believe I’ve been involved in every match-day squad except the first one against Chelsea.”