FACED with the choice of promotion to the Premier League or winning the Carling Cup, Burnley captain Steven Caldwell is unwavering in his response.

The Clarets are just one step away from a dream trip to Wembley thanks to their quarter-final 2-0 win over Arsenal in midweek.

But Caldwell, who has played a key role in Burnley reaching the semi-finals, would sacrifice it all to earn a place in the Premier League.

“The goal, at the end of the day, is promotion. We’d like to get promoted, I’m pretty sure more so than even winning the Carling Cup. Certainly I would,” he said.

“We’re in a great position in the league, but there’s lots of work to do to achieve promotion.

“The Carling Cup’s at the back of our minds, we’ll focus on the league before that comes around again.”

Yet, ironically, it was the first stage of this memorable Carling Cup run that Caldwell believes ignited their season as, after following up an horrendous 4-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day with a 3-0 home loss to Ipswich Town, a 2-0 cup win at Bury sandwiched in between those games had helped to heal the wounds.

Individually, it proved to be a key moment for goalkeeper Brian ‘Beast’ Jensen, who, after missing out to summer signing Diego Penny at Hillsborough, has been an ever present since coming into the side at Gigg Lane and recording the first of 11 clean sheets to date.

“I remember the first round at Bury, it was a real big game for us because they had started the season well and we were struggling,” Caldwell recalled.

“We were pretty edgy because it was really important to get a win, and our season was in a bit of trouble. We were so disappointed after having such a great pre-season, everybody had bonded and played well and was fit.

“It was so important to kick-start our season at Bury.

“They were excellent on the night, but I think our class showed in our goals, and Beasty kept us in it with a couple of saves.

“He was fantastic, and has been all season.”

The football world may still be talking about Burnley’s triumph over Arsenal’s teenagers. but for the management and squad attentions immediately turned to tomorrow’s important Championship game at Sheffield United, as the Clarets strive to increase the gap between fourth and fifth from one point to four.

Even tomorrow lunch-time’s draw for the semi-finals will only fleetingly register on their radar, as and when it happens.

Apart from that, it will be business as usual.

“We’re delighted we’re in the semi-finals of a major trophy, and we’ll probably enjoy it when it comes around, but we’re concentrating on a very difficult game at Sheffield United,” said Caldwell.

“We jumped above them on Saturday after they drew with Ipswich, but they’re just a point behind us, so if we can win the game we create a bit of a gap between us, although they will be looking to get a victory to jump above us.

“It’s a massive game at this stage of the season, and we’re very mindful of the quality they have, and how difficult it always is going to Bramall Lane. But we’re very much looking forward to it.

“It’s usually a great battle against James Beattie. I’ve been lucky enough to play against him before, and he’s a fantastic player.

“I’m aware of his qualities, and hopefully I can do my best to stop him on the day.”