Being one round from Wembley will attract players to Barnsley in the January transfer window, insists head coach Lee Johnson.

The Reds registered their fourth JPT victory of the season – more than they had ever won in this competition in all their previous campaigns combined – in a penalty shoot-out at Wigan Athletic in the Northern semi-final on Saturday.

They will now face fellow League One strugglers Fleetwood Town in the two-legged Northern Area final, with the winners going to Wembley. Johnson said: "We have already started preparations for bringing players in and you might look at the league position and say 'who would want to come?' but I don't think players see it like that.

"They look at our team and know we can move up the league.  We also have a potential Wembley date which is getting closer and will attract players to our club."

The first leg against 18th-placed Fleetwood will be at Oakwell on Saturday January 9 with the second leg provisionally set for Tuesday, February 2 but could be moved for television. The winners will take on either League One finals Millwall or League Two leaders Oxford United in the final at Wembley Stadium on April 3.

Johnson said: It's a tough competition who ever you play, especially in the Northern section which is tougher than the South this year. Fleetwood are a good side but we feel we have chance.  The first leg is at home so hopefully we will have a big crowd and can get a big lead. I think everyone will be buzzing for those games.  The whole town will be talking about it and hopefully the players can deliver. From my experience, a good cup run can help your league form."