Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley has admitted that the expectation level at the club has risen considerably in the last 12 months.The Bluebirds star helped the Welsh outfit to the FA Cup final last season, scoring the winner in a last four contest with Barnsley, and accepts that their Wembley heroics have piled the pressure on the squad ahead of the 2008/09 campaign.

Anything less than a top six finish is likely to be deemed a failure at Ninian Park, but Ledley is confident that Dave Jones' men can mount a sustained promotion bid next term.

"It was incredible last season to get into the FA Cup final, so I think everyone here is expecting to get promoted or get into the play offs - I think that what's expected," the Wales international told Sky Sports News.

"I think everyone's going to be looking at us and expect things from us this season.

"It's going to be difficult because in the Championship anyone can beat anyone, it's going to be hard, but we've just got to keep doing what we're doing.

"We've had a good pre-season."

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