United boss Gary McAllister and his players are itching for the Play-Off semi-final against Carlisle United to get underway.

Part one of the two-leeged affair takes place at Elland Road on Monday with the return set for Carlisle's Brunton Park on Thursday.

"It's exciting," said the manager. "I can see a buzz around training, people want to try impress and try and get in that starting line-up.

"It's been good and everyone's busting to go.

"It'll be a fast and furious affair, and there'll be nervous moments, but the players have to be aware there will be times to turn things down, hit that pass, and be a bit calmer.

"We've got to realise they'll be up for it as well. There's a lot at stake for them. They've achieved a lot in recent seasons, and we're fully aware of that.

"They also beat us up there, and we beat them here, so there's not a lot in it."

It will be the manager's first taste of Play-Off drama, but he is no stranger to two-legged cup affairs having been a member of the Liverpool side which won the UEFA Cup just seven years ago.

"That's where my style of managing comes in," he explained. "I may not have the management experience of some, but I've played a lot of football.

"I've played in two legged home and away games, and we won the UEFA Cup at Liverpool not that long ago.

"You can't panic if things don't go right early on. We have 180 minutes to get ahead of Carlisle. We have to stay focused and keep concentrating.

"You can be 2-0 down after 10 minutes or 3-0 up after the first game, but you can't take anything for granted."

Elland Road will be packed to the rafters for Monday's first leg with another sell-out crowd hoping to roar the lads to within 90 minutes of a first Wembley appearance since 1996.

"There's a lot of anticpation and expectation, but the day Leeds United fans lose that, and the drive to get in the league we should be in, would be a sad day," said the manager.

"Its exciting for the players and the fans, but us needing to think we only have to turn up isn't right.

"I respect our fans, and we appreciate their support, but I want them to get behind us on the back of us playing well.

"We've got to produce and work hard to get where I feel the players deserve to be."

The manager has two selection dilemmas ahead of the game with a question mark over leading scorer Jermaine Beckford.

Jermaine returned to training last week, and the boss is optimistic his striker will be fit to take his place in the starting line-up.

The other headache revolves around left-back where Alan Sheehan is suspended. Bradley Johnson played there against Gillingham, but both Andrew Hughes and Darren Kenton have also filled the void this term.

You can watch all the pre-match build-up and listen to the game live on LUTV...