JUSSI Jaaskelainen has waited 11 years to replace the best moment of his Wanderers career.

The Big Finn would not change a thing about his last visit to Wembley, except the final outcome, which saw Sam Allardyce’s side beaten on penalties by Aston Villa after 120 minutes of goal-less football under the old Twin Towers at the turn of the millennium.

Now, just two days before his 36th birthday, Jaaskelainen is hoping to go one better against Stoke City with a place against either Manchester United or Manchester City in the final up for grabs.

Looking back to his last Wembley experience, he said: “That day was the best thing that has happened to me in my whole career,” he said.

“People ask me what it’s like to play in a semi-final at Wembley, especially as a younger player, but I can only say it is an experience I won’t forget.

“It was early in my career, but the game against Aston Villa sticks out in my mind even though we lost in the end. We got so close to reaching the final but everything around the game was special. Hopefully this time, the result will be there for us too.”

Both Wanderers and Stoke celebrated avoiding City and United in last month’s draw, most notably because it virtually guaranteed a place in next season’s Europa League for the winner, but Jaaskelainen – who will move past the legendary Nat Lofthouse in the club’s all-time appearance charts if he is selected against the Potters – is well aware there will be no prize for second place in Sunday’s game.

“We were both very happy with the draw because we wanted to miss the Manchester teams but Stoke are a good side and we will have to stick to our game plan,” he said.

“Both teams will think this is an excellent opportunity to reach the final but when the day comes around, our focus has got to be on getting the result and nothing else.”

Now in his 14th season at the club, Jaaskelainen believes the current squad have the potential to be the best Wanderers team he has ever worked with.

“It’s always great when you are winning games and being successful,” he said. “The season is going well so far and we’re really looking forward to Wembley.

“We’ve had some great players down the years but the good thing now is that we’ve got younger players coming through. They are hungry and want to succeed.

“In the past we have signed, I wouldn’t say older players, but more experienced ones who have played at a high level and we’ve got them back to playing at their best. Now it’s a little bit different.”