The Irish defender claims comments from Gary McAllister's camp suggesting the club were content to be paired with Carlisle in League One's play-offs were "disrespecting us a little bit".

Murphy said: "Leeds will probably say they're happy to be playing anybody because they don't think they should be in this league.

"Hopefully that little bit of arrogance will work in our favour and if we do get promoted it will be all the better.

"Leeds have a very good squad and we know we'll have to step up our game. You expect to play good sides in the play-offs. But that's where Leeds are disrespecting us a little bit, saying they are happy to play us.

"According to Leeds, everything has gone against them this season - they shouldn't be in this league, the 15 points deduction and so on.

"If Leeds are such a big club, and if we are the underdogs, that's the way it's got to be. Everyone is expecting them to win and there's no pressure on us."

The semi-final begins with the first leg at Elland Road on Monday night, with Leeds travelling to Brunton Park to conclude the tie three days later.

Carlisle have spent £30,000 repairing the pitch at Brunton Park ahead of next Thursday's second leg.

The condition of the surface is a growing cause for concern, and the Cumbrian club were forced to protect the pitch by delaying a junior football tournament scheduled to be held at Brunton Park last weekend.