THE night before last year’s final, head coach Michael Appleton sat each member of his squad down individually to tell them if they were starting.

Players came in and out of the room in the team hotel every couple of minutes, until it got to Chris Maguire.

The meeting to explain why he was on the bench took a full ten minutes.

“It wasn’t anything bad, it was just a conversation,” the forward recalls.

“The gaffer felt other players had been performing better and should get the jersey to start.

“At the time it was gutting, but you’ve got to respect the decision.

“When you look at last year it was a great occasion to get there and play, but coming off the bench and getting a loser’s medal, it’s a game you quickly forget.

“Hopefully this year my performances have earned me the start I want.”

As someone who thrives on the big occasion, playing a bit-part role in a defeat left a sour taste in the mouth.

Maguire still has the medal, although he is not entirely sure where: “It’s in a cupboard somewhere, it’s not on display or anything.”

But all things considered, the Scot, who played the final 25 minutes of the 3-2 defeat to Barnsley, should be in luck this time.

Whereas 12 months ago he had started only one of the four games leading up to Wembley and had just a single goal to his name, Maguire is far more integral to this season’s team.

His best scoring tally for a campaign has been boosted by Checkatrade Trophy goals against Exeter City, Southend United and Bradford City.

Maguire has caps for Scotland’s senior side and played for the likes of Aberdeen, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.

But a victory this weekend would give him something he has not managed in more than 370 appearances across his career.

“It would be the first thing I’ve won as a professional,” he said.

“It would be nice to look back at the end of your career and say you’ve won something.

“You’re in football to win games and competitions.

“A few in this team have winner’s medals from previous clubs, but I’m hoping to get my first one.”

At 28, Maguire is the oldest outfield player in the frame to start against Coventry City.

And he knows that experience could come in very useful in what is otherwise a youthful group.

He said: “I’d say most of that team haven’t played in front of that many people before, so it will be a bit daunting.

“The manager will probably get a couple of the experienced boys to calm the others down and try to relax on the day.

“You have to play the game and not the occasion.

“Sometimes you see people go out in big games, get a bit carried away with the atmosphere and do something silly which could really cost the team.

“You have to concentrate and if we settle quickly I’m sure with our ability everything else will take care of itself.”