The Lady Pies club captain has been out for over a year with an ACL injury which has forced her to miss two FA WSL 1 campaigns, the SSE Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley, England's historic match against Germany under the arch last November and this summer's World Cup.
Arsenal v Notts County
FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup Final
AESSEAL New York Stadium
Rotherham United
3pm Sunday 1 November 2015
Adults £5, concessions £2.50
Buy tickets here
Live on BT Sport 2
Bassett has donned the armband in Bradley's absence – and she wants to lift the trophy on Sunday to put a smile on her fellow defender's face.
She said: "Every time I lead this team out, I'm thinking of Sophie Bradley.
"It should be her wearing the armband today but she's had such a tough time with injuries.
"While we've been having a bit of a rollercoaster season on the pitch she has missed out on it all. But she is a massive part of this club.
Notts County club captain Sophie Bradley
"Her rehab is going well so hopefully she'll be back sooner rather than later and I'm sure she will be leading the team out again soon.
"I'd love to win the trophy for everyone involved with this club because they all dedicate so much of their time, and Bradders is right at the top of that list."
Notts County finished fifth in FA WSL 1, having tailed off after the World Cup, but they stormed through their Continental Tyres Cup group, winning all five matches, scoring 19 goals and conceding just two.
They edged Reading in the quarter final and deservedly defeated Liverpool in the last four.
Bassett said: "In the second part of the season, the Continental Tyres Cup has been a breath of fresh air for us.
"Our League results weren't entirely what we wanted but we did well in the group stage of this competition. The fact that we won a lot of those games quite convincingly was another plus point for us in terms of building momentum and confidence.
Laura Bassett on the ball for Notts
"It's a great achievement to have reached a second Cup Final in the same season. This is a chance for us to right those wrongs from Wembley and get this club some silverware that I think it deserves.
"Now it's up to us players to get us over the line in terms of winning trophies. Then we can really kick on in the next couple of years and reach the ultimate goal which is to win the FA WSL 1 title."
Bassett, Alex Greenwood and Ellen White became internet sensations when they pulled off a cheeky free-kick routine against Arsenal earlier this season.
Bassett and Greenwood mocked a falling out between themselves in the build-up to the kick which caught the Gunners off guard. Greenwood tapped the ball to White, who smashed home a memorable goal – but the forward would go on to miss a penalty.
SSE Women's FA Cup Final highlights
That particular match ended in an entertaining 1-1 draw – and Bassett is expecting more drama at the weekend.
She said: "We have had a couple of really good games against Arsenal this season. The first game was a 1-1 draw live on BT Sport and that must have been such an exciting game to watch. Me, Ellen and Alex tried that free-kick which went viral, we then missed a penalty and conceded the equaliser, so it was all happening.
"We lost narrowly at their place and we could have nicked a draw at the end, but for Emma Byrne pulling off a top save. If you look at both those games, they were so intense, so competitive and intense.
"I think this will be another one of those exciting games. Whoever gets on top of more of their individual duels and performs on the day will take the trophy."
Tickets for the final cost £5 for adults and £2.50 concessions, and can be bought at rotherhamunitedshop.co.uk or by telephone on 08444 10754.
