Doubts remain as to the fitness of regular no.9 Bob Thomson (pictured right), rated the best in the country at present, following the dislocation of his left elbow suffered in the League defeat at Bolton earlier this month. The renowned Lieutenant V Woodward, who is home on leave from the Army and performed admirably in the beating of West Bromwich Albion by four goals to one last week, is on standby.

Thomson, should he play, will have his arm in bandages – symbolic kinship with the many injured servicemen who have been invited to the match. Bob, as we all know, already plays with a disability, having the use of only one eye since the age of seven. When the ball comes to him on his ‘bad’ side, the forward says, ‘I just shut my other eye and play from memory.’ Yet the Croydon native has struck six times in the eight games of our progression to the final.

Should Thomson prove himself fit, Woodward, the finest ever England captain, has let it be known that he would not stand in the way of a man who has performed heroics in the glorious cup run, while he was fighting an even greater battle in France. As an amateur he would like to see any medal go to a professional man, to whom it may mean more.

There is also the possibility that the manager, Mr Calderhead, could move Halse, who outscored Woodward by two goals to one against the Throstles, to the centre in the usual 2-3-5 formation.

The Blades, who start as favourites, will line up in a similar formation. Between the sticks will be the Chesterfield-born Gough who, at 5ft 10½in, enjoys a 1½in advantage over his Chelsea counterpart Jim Molyneux (which is typical throughout the line-ups). He has proved himself most proficient at stopping high shots.

At the rearguard, the two Geordie full-backs, Cook and English, both have a hefty kick on them and are as strong as they come despite being just 5ft 7in and 5ft 8in respectively.

Ahead of them is a formidable half-back line featuring Utley, the £2,000 man from Barnsley, in the centre. As powerful as an ox driving through the opposition ranks, he is equally able in his defensive duties. How Chelsea would like to have had available our ‘Great Dane,’ Nils Middelboe, to help counteract Utley and company, as was the case in the 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane last month. Sadly, his other work as a banker has a prior call on our amateur international.

Either side of Utley will be the long-striding Sturgess, and Brelsford, who few men ever have the better of in a full-on shoulder charge. Together they form one of the most famous trios in English football.

The wing combination of fleet-footed Simmons, outside right, and inside-forward Fazackerly, who has returned to his best form recently, will be of grave concern to Mr Calderhead.

On the left flank Masterman, formerly of Gainsbrorough Trinity, took his time to realise a starting berth but is now one of the first names inked on the team sheet. His dribbling and shooting are wonders to behold and he shoots hard anywhere near goal. At outside, the Blades have the brilliant passer Evans, from Chester, who has represented both England and Wales.

At the apex of the side, do not be deceived by the figure of Kitchen. At 5ft 7in he is not a big man for a centre-forward, but the Brigg man is as urgent and direct as any attacker in the country, with a powerful and accurate shot to match.

All in all Sheffield represent formidable adversaries, with the definite advantage in power, height and experience. Novices Chelsea will need to be at our very most wily and efficient to render this first cup final appearance a successful one.