Cardiff set sights on top flight

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The Welsh club lie mid-table in the Coca-Cola 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.

"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."

Joe Ledley scored the only goal on Sunday 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.

"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," Jones added.

"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.

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

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