The English Championship side have booked a two-legged tussle with Crystal Palace after finishing fourth in the table.

Success over the Eagles would book a play-off final at Wembley and leave Carle within touching distance of Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and Anfield.

The former Newcastle Jets man is in good form going into the play-offs and has praised Socceroo colleague Lucas Neill for inspiring him to get this far.

Carle told the Bristol Evening Post: “Getting into the Premier League would be massive for me. It’s the best league in the world, right up there with Serie A and La Liga.

“Whenever I was in camp with the national team, I would listen to the other guys talking about the Premier League and what it was like to play in it.

“But I never considered it might be possible for me to be a part of it. I never knew I could even play in England let alone the Premier League.

“Sure, it was something I dreamed about, but never thought would happen.”

West Ham skipper Neill sold the Premier League to Carle. He said: “Lucas been there, seen it and done it and is very experienced.

“Lucas wouldn't brag about playing in the Premier League, but he would talk about it in a way which made me want to be involved myself.

“He told me how intense it is and how you have to produce your best performance every week. I think the Championship is a great division where any team can beat any other, but the Premier League is something else. It’s where most players in the world want to play."

He added: “When I heard Bristol were interested in me and saw that they were pushing for promotion, I was really excited.

“Every footballer wants to play at the highest level possible and I'm no different. For me, that means playing in the Premier League.

“I can’t thank the boys here enough. They’ve been brilliant, made me feel really welcome and given me a chance maybe to play in the biggest league of all.”

Carle was handed his chance in central midfield in the dying stages of the regular season and is thriving on it.

He said: “That’s where I like to play best and it is a role I really enjoy.

“I’m the kind of player who always wants the ball. Sometimes people say I want it too much, but that’s my natural game, it works for me.

“It’s taken me time to adapt to the English way, but Gary Johnson is a great coach and he’s helped me a lot. He’s a proven manager and he’s helped add to my game.”