MICHAEL WILDE has got the perfect weekend planned. Three points for table-topping Connah’s Quay Nomads at Penybont and then watching Tranmere Rovers triumph at Wembley in the Football League Trophy final.

Wilde, Nomads’ evergreen striker who is still going strong leading the forward line for the Welsh champions, is also Head of Football Development at Rovers, who face Sunderland in Sunday’s showpiece final.

“I’m not going to Wembley because of my schedule more than anything,” said Wilde, who returned to Cymru Premier League action last Saturday with the winner in a 2-1 victory over Newtown at The Deeside Stadium before netting the only goal of the game in Tuesday's 1-0 derby success at Flint Town.

“We’ve got Penybont away, then we’re back in for training Monday and a big game at Bala next Tuesday.

“Going to Wembley would have been great but I’ve been there the last few times Tranmere have been there. But I’ll be sitting down and watching the game on TV with my nine-year-old son, Kaiden and that will be brilliant. He’s really looking forward to it and so am I.”

Wilde’s passion for football - and especially playing in a Nomads team that has finally broken The New Saints’ stranglehold - shows no signs of easing off at the ripe old age of 37.

“I’m loving it and feeling fit,” added Wilde, who headed home the winner at Flint Town - a victory that put Nomads two points clear at the top.

“In fact I’m doing more running than I did at TNS, Chester and Fleetwood.

“So as long as I’m making those runs, getting those chances and scoring goals, I’m carrying on.”

That will be great news to Nomads manager Andy Morrison, who only last week described Wilde and his former Chester team-mate George Horan as looking like ‘ripped 24-year-olds’ in the dressing room.

Wilde, who has scored 74 goals since signing for Nomads from TNS nearly five years ago, will again lead the line at fourth-placed Penybont, who beat Barry 1-0 on Tuesday, as the games come thick and fast following a 10-week suspension of the league due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re lucky to finally be playing football again with everything that has gone,” added Wilde.

“It’s been a tough and demanding time for everyone but we’re playing and that’s great. You look at teams in the Conference North and in other leagues in England and they’ve stopped.

“We’ve been training during lockdown and we’ve had adapt to new things, changing in away dressing rooms and things like that.

“But last Saturday was just good to get out on the pitch and play a football match.

“The next thing we want is for the fans to come back and watch us and hopefully that will come soon.”

Watching is what Wilde and his son will be doing on Sunday in a weekend where two Football League Trophy Finals will take place.

Prior to Rovers’ big game, Portsmouth face Salford on Saturday but it’s Keith Hill’s Tranmere the Wildes will be cheering on 24 hours later.

“Kaiden likes his football and he’s with the same club, Poulton Vics, where I started off all those years ago,” added Wilde.

“I’m a big fan of grassroots football and that nine-year-olds play in teams with their mates.”