Chris Maguire helps Sunderland pinch the ball in midfield and he's slipped in for chance.

The winger drives his shot across goal but it rolls just wide of the far left post.

Good effort.

Nicely open this, as both side swing from defence to attack and back again.

Tranmere shepherded out a chance for Aiden McGeady a moment ago, then win a free-kick in the Sunderland half...

Rovers through Jay Spearing clip it into the mix and after a Grant Leadbitter cut out the ball almost loops in past Lee Burge.

Kevin Ball did something similar once in a Tyne-Wear derby. But that was a tackle which nearly went in. Smacked the bar.

Carbon copy of the burst by Danny Lloyd down the left is again fielded by Luke O'Nien in the Sunderland box.

Someone needs to attack that delivery. Too easy for the Black Cats

Lee Burge has had to be alert a couple of times to get out of his box and clear for Sunderland.

Curling ball into the channels from Callum MacDonald almost released Kaiyne Woolery but Burge was first to it.

Jay Spearing, once in the red of Liverpool of course, is ratting about the Sunderland attack as soon as they step into his area of the field and forcing the Black Cats back.

His and Liam Feeney's energy will be key.

Good work from Danny Lloyd gets Rovers up to the Sunderland area but the fierce delivery is mopped up by Luke O'Nien.

You wouldn't call Sunderland's approach long-ball, but it's certainly direct.

With Charlie Wyke a focal point up top, and the likes of Lynden Gooch and Aiden McGeady looking to get in to the channels, they're certainly happy to bang the ball forward and look for the second-ball.

Tranmere look comfortable at the moment, though.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland get a free-kick which is curled to the back-post where skipper Max Power is lurking... but it flicks off him and behind.

Just lost the ball.

Tom Flanagan is getting treatment after it looked like he took a bang to the face. Maybe even the eye.

Keith Hill is the Tranmere boss of course and he's busily grinding his teeth away on something in concentration.

I've always had time for him since he revealed in a BBC article that Biggie's 'Juicy' was the dressing room jam at Rochdale.

Anyway, I digress.

Uncharacteristic error from Sunderland winger Aiden McGeady, who sees a pass wide roll under his boot and away for a throw.

Tranmere swift to get the ball forward to Paul Lewis but Lee Burge comes flying out of goal to bash the clearance away for Sunderland.

No crowd needed to get the blood pumping in midfield, as the first few tackles go thudding in.

Much of Sunderland's calm and poise will come from the experienced Grant Leadbitter.

Jay Spearing the same for Tranmere.

Image source, Rex Features

So no roars, no cheers. It's an echoey, quiet Wembley.

But this will still be special for both sets of players.

The pitch looks good.

Knees taken against discrimination.

We are off. Kaiyne Woolery gets Tranmere going.

So, the anthems have been sung and pre-match ceremony complete.

We're minutes away from kick-off.

The body language from both players was cool and calm.

Let's hope we get a good one.

Image source, Rex Features

Tranmere came here three years in a row for promotion finals between 2017 and 2019, but they're here for silverware this afternoon with the EFL Trophy up for grabs.

Rovers boss Keith Hill has twice been to Wembley as Rochdale manager, but came away without victory on both occasions.

The 51-year-old is unfazed about his record as he aims to upset a side from a higher division at the national stadium.

"You've got to enjoy your work and our work is football. We're very fortunate that it's not just our hobby but our hobby as well in this industry is winning," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I've said before that we don't practise failure. I'm the same as every manager, whether you're top, bottom, in the league or FA Cup or Papa John's Trophy final, you prepare your team to win a football match."

Image source, Getty Images

There is an extra level of interest for Sunderland skipper Max Power, as he not only attempts to end his own Wembley hoodoo, but is taking on his hometown club.

Power, 27, who was born in Birkenhead, played in excess of 100 games for Rovers and has family ties to the club from Prenton Park.

"It'll be a nice occasion. My dad's a Tranmere fan - the only one I must add as everyone else is Liverpool - but I'm sure my dad will be supporting me," Power said.

"It's such a shame there will be no fans in the ground, the only positive I didn't get pounded for tickets from everyone back home which is one less stress.

"I had two 'great' experiences at Wembley - one was a penalty shoot out defeat and the other I was injured after 27 seconds in the play-off final - so I'm looking forward to getting back there."

Image source, Getty Images

Tranmere have won this competition before, back in 1990 when they beat Bristol Rovers at the old Wembley.

It was one of two visits that year, as they also lost to Neil Warnock's Notts County in the Division Three play-off final.

They then went back to the national stadium the following year to retain the trophy, but lost to Birmingham. They did win the play-offs though. Another double-whammy.

Halcyon days.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland haven't won at Wembley in nearly 50 years. Crackers isn't it?

Their shock win over Division One giants Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup final has been followed by defeats in the FA Cup by Liverpool, League Cup by Norwich and Manchester City, EFL Trophy loss to Portsmouth and play-off heartbreak against Swindon, and Charlton twice.

Throw in a Football League centenary tournament defeat by Wigan, and you're looking at a miserable run.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland: Burge, McFadzean, O'Nien, Flanagan, Power, Scowen, Leadbitter, Maguire, McGeady, Gooch, Wyke

Subs: McLaughlin, Kimpioka, Matthews, Diamond, Neil, Stewart, Younger

Tranmere: Davies, MacDonald, Ray, Clarke, Khan, Spearing, Feeney, Lloyd, Morris, Woolery, Lewis

Subs: Ridehalgh, Monthe, Blackett-Taylor, Murphy, Kirby, Burton, Nugent

Image source, Rex Features

Saturday's victory for Salford was their first ever major trophy.

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett bore the brunt of his side's defeat - the 59-year-old was sacked earlier today.

Image source, Getty Images

Just 24 hours after Salford City basked in the belated glory of their 2019-20 Papa John's Trophy final success, the trophy is back at Wembley looking for a new home.

Will it be Wearside where the silverware heads? Sunderland will need to banish a miserable eight-game losing streak at the national stadium to do so.

Or will be it over the Pennines, on the Wirral, where the cup will be paraded? Tranmere Rovers have happy memories of this hallowed turf.

Wherever it ends up, you'll know about it right here.

Welcome.