Cardiff manager Dave Jones wants to use his side's surge to the FA Cup final to spark a late rush into the Premier League.The Welsh club lie mid-table in the Championship - but so buoyant are they after their 1-0 semi-final win over Barnsley at Wembley that Jones believes they can make it to the play-offs.

Joe Ledley scored the only goal with a sweet left-foot volley - and while the squad were allowed to celebrate reaching English football's most famous showcase against Portsmouth next month, Jones is adamant that it must be back to business as usual as swiftly as possible.

"My problem is getting them up and running again," he said.

"We want to keep it going. We have a slim chance of the play-offs - and while we have, I won't let them rest.

"Now we're in the final it's not about turning up - we want to win it. We have as good a chance as Portsmouth. We're a match for anyone on our day.

"To get to the final of the second-biggest trophy in this country has been a long, hard road. Now we've got to get our feet on the ground for the league games."

Cardiff are in 12th position in the Championship, five points off the play-off places but with a game or two in hand over several of their rivals.

The final, however, will be as intriguing for the battle of the managers as much as the teams.

As a player with Everton, Jones had many battles with Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp in his playing days with West Ham.

They are good friends, and Jones claims Redknapp once scored the best goal he has ever seen - "a screamer which flew into the top corner".

"It's anybody's game," he added, casting his mind ahead again to next month's final.

"West Brom played well against them in the semi-final. People say West Brom are the best footballing team in the division, but I'd dispute that.

"Portsmouth are the Premier League side, and they will be favourites."

Jones, who played a DVD of Cardiff's greatest goals to relax his side before kick-off, reiterated his belief that the Bluebirds should qualify for Europe if they beat Portsmouth or if Redknapp's side are through via league placing.

Cardiff would not automatically get the vacant Europe place, because they are not affiliated to the English FA - but UEFA president Michel Platini has already said he would support their case for inclusion.

Jones said: "With us getting to this final now, there is no way they should stop us if we win it.

"If they stop us getting into Europe there will be all hell to play - and I'll be first in the queue."

He need not need to bother - because there was further indication from UEFA last night that the governing body will look favourably upon them.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told Sky Sports News: "We understand there was an agreement from the beginning when Cardiff joined the English league that if it happened they gained a European place they would not represent the English Football Association.

"We understand this agreement but at the same time we feel from a sporting point of view Cardiff deserve to play in the UEFA Cup.

"What will be submitted to the executive committee if Cardiff win the final is the possibility of giving them a wild card."

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