Football – a big day for all as the full Sheffield Utd squad at Wembley duty

By Martyn Herman LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) – Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough need not worry about letting any of his players down by leaving them out of the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Hull City. All 18 of his senior players are in contention for the match at Wembley. “No one will be involved. We only have an 18-man squad,” said Clough, son of the late Brian Clough, who never managed to win the FA Cup despite title-winning spells as manager of Derby County and Nottingham Forest . . “That’s the thing about a smaller team is everyone gets a chance to be involved. It can be demoralizing sitting in the stands on a big occasion like this,” he told the Sheffield Star. Clough, 48, took over as manager of League One (third tier) Sheffield United in October and has since turned their fortunes around, taking them away from the relegation zone. Having won the FA Cup four times, they boast a greater pedigree in the competition than trophy-less Hull City, even though their last success was in 1925. They will, however, start as massive underdogs against the Premier League side League that have come close, but secured another campaign in the top flight, being promoted last season. “Our chances are slim because we’re playing a team two divisions above us,” said Clough, who won the League Cup twice while a midfielder at Forest under his father. “With the quality of the Premier League teams, they are big favourites. I don’t see how anyone can argue with that. “Maybe we’re given a bit more of a chance by people because of what we’ve done in the competition so far . . But in 90 minutes they have to score against us. “It’s been so many years since a League One team has reached this stage and I don’t think one has reached the final, so that’s why Hull are favourites,” he added. “Hull will be the sternest test. I would have said even if it was the round before, Wembley doesn’t matter. They are used to the bigger games, going to Old Trafford and so on.” United are indeed bidding to become the first third-tier side to reach the final, and should they win and holders Wigan Athletic upset Arsenal, it would be the first time a top-flight club has failed to reach the final. (Editing by Rex Gowar)