Hughes wants fans' reward

Midfielder targets Wembley date for supporters

Last updated: 12th May 2008

Leeds Andrew Hughes

Hughes: Targetting Wembley date

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Leeds midfielder Andrew Hughes has urged his team-mates to reward the club's long-suffering fans with a trip to Wembley this season.

Hughes will be part of the United side who take on Carlisle at Elland Road on Thursday in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final, live on Sky Sports 1.

The game looks set to be a sell-out after a crowd of over 38,000 watched the final league game of the campaign against Gillingham.

And Hughes admits that backing such as that could play a key role in deciding the outcome.

"It takes your breath away when it is like that," said Hughes.

"I was honoured to be on the pitch in front of those fans (against Gillingham), but that is Leeds United Football Club.

"There's no experience like that. I've been at different clubs and experienced different fans, but you can't find the words to describe what it was like against Gillingham.

"We need to do them proud now and do it for ourselves."

Hughes is now focusing on the challenge ahead against the Cumbrians, and a possible place in the play-off final at Wembley.

"They have a fantastic home record and we have got to go there and try and get a result," he added.

Atmosphere

"But what an atmosphere it is going to be here first. It should be awesome."

Leeds head into the game with boss Gary McAllister confident that top-scorer Jermaine Beckford will be fit to be involved.

The striker has been sidelined with an ankle injury recently but is back in training.

Carlisle must pick themselves up for the trip to Yorkshire after throwing away a golden opportunity to win automatic promotion in the final weeks of the season.

A month ago John Ward's men were second and looked a decent bet to avoid the play-off lottery but a dismal run of just two points from their last five games condemned them to fourth place.

However, Ward insists his side will not be overawed by the Eland Road crowd.

He said: "We've very much got the picture of Elland Road - Leeds United, the history of the club and the dressing rooms - so everything will be reasonably familiar to us.

"Elland Road was practically full when we went there last month and scored two goals against them, so we know we're capable of doing that."

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