The showpiece event, to be held away from Wembley for the first time since 1922, is less than three weeks away and Football Association officials were due to meet the chiefs of the Cardiff stadium this morning.

Robert McCullagh, who prepared 13 Wembley final pitches during his time as groundsman, will meet the Millennium pitch staff to provide expert advice.

'In the contract that we signed when we agreed to use the Millennium Stadium as opposed to Wembley up until the 2004 FA Cup Final it was agreed that the pitch would be re-laid if necessary,' said the FA's head of communications, Paul Newman.

'Of course it is a concern so close to the Final and we have always wanted and been assured that we will have a first-class surface in keeping with the importance of the competition.'