The 23-year-old, who produced a string of magnificent saves in the fifth-round win over Liverpool, is on loan from West Brom and would not have been able to play had the teams been drawn to face each other.

But the Tykes and Cardiff were paired together while Tony Mowbray's Baggies will take on sole Barclays Premier League representatives Portsmouth in the other clash at Wembley on the weekend of April 5/6.

Steele said: "I was a little bit nervous beforehand but the draw was perfect and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I thought, knowing my luck this season prior to coming here, 'it's going to go against me' but it didn't and I'm so happy."

The goalkeeper is still facing up to the prospect of missing the final, but added on Sky Sports News: "I think I've just got to forget about it. Hopefully that won't be the case."

Steele is only on a one-month loan at Oakwell but is hoping to tie up a deal until the end of the season "in the next few days".

The Tykes followed up their 2-1 win over Liverpool last month by beating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday, and boss Simon Davey is hopeful they can keep their amazing run going and reach the final.

He said: "We've got to be confident after beating Liverpool and Chelsea. There's light at the end of the tunnel for both teams and we fancy our chances. We're 90 minutes away from an FA Cup final."

Swansea-born Davey has extra motivation to beat Cardiff, and he added on Sky Sports News: "They're (Swansea's) biggest rivals and being a Swansea lad it'll always be nice to put Cardiff out. I'm sure there'll be a lot of Swansea fans cheering me on."

Cardiff boss Dave Jones is expecting a close battle between the Championship rivals, who are separated by only two points in the bottom half of the table.

"We've got a tough one," he said. "We said that in the last round and the round before. We'll know each other inside out. Hopefully we'll come out on top but I'm sure Simon will be thinking the same. They've come off the back of two fantastic victories so they won't fear anyone."

There have been claims there will be less interest in the semi-finals and final because none of the big teams are involved, but Jones thinks it is a shot in the arm for the competition.

"Everyone talks about the romance of the cup," he said. "Year in, year out it is always the same teams that seem to be playing but this time around it's probably the year of the underdog."

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson criticised the choice of Wembley to stage the semi-finals but Jones believes it is an added bonus for the three Championship sides.

"Everyone wants to play a final at Wembley but for the likes of us to go there in a semi-final is fantastic for us. It does give an added little bit of romance and spice to it," he added.

The four clubs are potentially two wins away from European football but Cardiff will not be able to claim their spot in the UEFA Cup should they win the final because they represent the Football Association of Wales.

But Bluebirds chairman Peter Ridsdale, who previously owned Barnsley, hinted the club might be prepared to challenge that.

He said: "If we win the final and we're not put forward to the UEFA Cup I'm sure there'll be a lot of people with something to say."

Portsmouth are now the clear favourites to take the cup but West Brom beat Bristol Rovers 5-1 yesterday and are pushing for a return to the top flight, and Pompey boss Harry Redknapp knows there is a lot of hard work ahead.

"They're a good team West Brom, a terrific football team," he said. "We're favourites, obviously, because we're the only Premier League team in there but you look at the cup year on year and you realise you have to be at your best to get through."

Chairman Peter Storrie is hoping Portsmouth can build on their shock 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

He said: "After Manchester United we can't fear anybody. On Saturday morning we were driving to Old Trafford thinking it was going to be the Alamo. Now we are favourites - it's a funny old game, football."

Albion boss Mowbray knows his side have the toughest task of the lot after drawing Premier League opposition for the first time in their run.

"Harry has built a powerful side who are enjoying a terrific season," he said. "We're very respectful of the talent they possess but we've earned the right to play this game and we're looking forward to the challenge."