Tranmere's James Norwood wants to beat Sergio Aguero's goal tally

James Norwood watched last weekend's FA Cup final closely but cared little whether it was Manchester City or Watford lifting the famous trophy.

The Tranmere Rovers striker's attention was solely focused on one man, someone he's unlikely ever to play alongside or even against, but a rival in this season's scoring stakes nonetheless.

As it happened, City's prolific Argentine striker Sergio Aguero didn't even get off the bench let alone score, and that presents an opportunity for Norwood on Saturday.

Taking into account all competitions, Norwood and Aguero are tied on 32 goals for their clubs this season, higher than anyone else in England's top four divisions.

Aguero's season is done and dusted, but Norwood is determined to find the net in his final match - Tranmere's League Two Play-off final with Newport County at Wembley.

'Being level on goals with Aguero is really special but what he's doing is at the very elite level,' Norwood said.

'So to find myself even mentioned in the same breath as Aguero is a major compliment - he's one of the best strikers in the world.

'I was keeping an eye on how he got on in the FA Cup final - with a view to watching and learning and going one better than him at Wembley.

'There's lots to admire about him - his finishing prowess, his positioning - but one thing I won't be doing is copying his silver fox look. I don't think my thinning barnet could take it!'

Norwood may fear going bald but, at 28, he is enjoying the best season of his career, powering Tranmere's push for back-to-back promotions that would take them back to League One for the first time since 2014.

Play-offs have been a regular occurrence since Norwood arrived at Prenton Park in 2015.

Their efforts to escape non-league football in 2017 ended with a 3-1 Wembley loss to Forest Green Rovers, but they atoned 12 months ago with a 2-1 win over Boreham Wood and manager Micky Mellon has preserved the momentum.

'It will be great to go to Wembley again', said Norwood. 'We've experienced both sides of the coin because we've won and lost play-off finals there.

'We know how sweet victory is but also how sour defeat is. We're going there with a single aim - to get promoted and that will be a great achievement if we do go up.'

The semi-finals proved sweet enough for Norwood as his well-taken volley in the away second leg against Forest Green, his former club, sent Tranmere through 2-1 on aggregate.

Norwood celebrated by standing in front of the Forest Green fans and putting a shushing finger to his lips. He left the club in 2015 under a cloud having been played out of position on the left under various managers.

'I got a lot of stick from the Forest Green fans and missing a lot of chances in the first leg gave them loads of ammunition,' he said.

'I was glad I was able to put things right and quieten them down. I came back a couple of years ago and didn't celebrate and I started getting a lot of stick because we beat them.

'So I thought, you know what if they have a go at me again I'm going to have the last word and shut them up. It came from the right place. When the fans give you stick it's because they know what you're about.'

It was a nomadic start to Norwood's career as he struggled to make the grade at Exeter City and after various loan spells it was in the Conference with Forest Green that he made a name for himself.

However after goal returns of 21, 16, 23 and 32 during his time with Tranmere, there's definitely a case for saying he is getting better with age.

Indeed, Norwood may well end up in League One next season regardless of today's outcome with his free-scoring season attracting attention from Ipswich Town.

'Am I getting better with age? I'd like to think so,' Norwood said. 'It certainly seems as though the more hair I lose the more goals I score, so I might ask for a skinhead the next time I go to the barbers.

'I've certainly been around the block a fair few times but this has to be my best ever season and hopefully we can end it on a high.

'I'd like to think I'm playing with my head more but the level we're playing at suits me and we've got a really good squad - 18 players who are good footballers.

'They work so hard to create chances and thankfully I've been on the end of a fair few this season and with a bit of luck that will continue at Wembley.'