Cats starlet Diamond hoping to shine for Harrogate at Wembley
"You're always going to be nervous, but it's not that I'm scared - I just can't wait to get on the pitch.
"I want to get over all the build-up and just get out there, I'm excited.
"It's a monumental stadium so you just have to take it all in on the day.
"I just want to take it in my stride.
"Obviously I've spoken to people and the biggest thing they say is to take it all in.
"It's a big occasion and a lot of people might go there and focus on the game.
"But I just want to realise the achievement and play to the best of my ability."
Harrogate are the underdogs for the final, with County – managed by former Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley – strongly tipped for promotion.
But for Diamond and his teammates, for whom the target has always been promotion, confidence is high.
"Promotion was always the goal,” he added.
"I wanted to go out on loan and when Harrogate came in the first thing they said was that they were an ambitious club and that they wanted to win games and play good football.
"That's what every attacking player wants to hear.
"Ever since I went there the message was clear.
"We thought that we were one of the best, if not the best team in the league, so we wanted to go for promotion.
"We're ambitious and we just want to win.
"Whether Notts County are a bigger club or whatever, that won't phase anyone.”
Diamond is set to return to training with the Black Cats after Sunday’s play-off final – but is hopeful he’ll be able to have help his temporary side to one more victory before his departure.
“Hopefully we can win,” he said, “have a good night on Sunday, and then my focus turns to Sunderland.”