BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Bristol City | First-leg tie is crucial

Bristol City midfielder Nick Carle is planning to use his experience of the play-offs in Australia to help City win promotion to the Premier League.

"Back home it's always the top four that go into a final series, so it's similar," he told BBC Points West.

"You've got to concentrate on the first game. At the moment there's nothing else in the back of my mind except for the away leg," added the 25-year-old.

"I think you want to be involved in the big games, you want that pressure."

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Interview: Bristol City defender Jamie McCombe

Bristol City have the perceived advantage of playing the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final with Crystal Palace at home, but Carle is determined to block that out.

"The first game is the most important one, you try and forget that you have the second one at home and make sure you're up for that game.

"It's making sure you're up for it. I don't think you really have to be told too much what's on the line, I think everyone knows. If you're not up for it, you shouldn't be playing."

Carle's team-mate Jamie McCombe is in no doubt about the importance of City's next two games.

"From a personal level, these are the biggest games I've ever played," said the Scottish centre-back.

"I've been in four other play-offs but none on this scale.

"We know they [Palace] are a good side and not to be underestimated.

"They're in your face and make it difficult for you to play and we've got to deal with that and then impose our game on them."