MARLON Beresford has no doubt about the enormity of the match the Clarets face at Watford tomorrow and he admitted: "I am playing for the highest stakes of my career."

The FA Cup semi-final is the ultimate prize for the winners at Vicarage Road but many players on both sides are actually playing for much more - they are playing for their futures.

The 33-year-old keeper is one of nine Clarets players out of contract in the summer. After a season of uncertainty, signing several month by month deals before a contract that sees him through to the end of the season, he is looking for some added stability.

He is only too aware of the financial problems that have hit the Clarets, even having to leave for a month at York City back in August, but believes the knowledge of the cash crisis has helped inspire the players to good runs in both the Worthington and FA Cups.

"I think that as a group this year we realised that doing well in the knockout competitions was not just important for us as players, it was absolutely vital to the club as well," he said.

"We seem to have grabbed hold of that and made a real impact. Let's hope it continues at Watford."

The high profile games against Spurs, Manchester United and Fulham may have grabbed the headlines but it was against the lesser lights of Huddersfield and Brentford that Beresford really earned his corn.

Stunning saves on both occasions ensured the Clarets did not slip up against second division opponents and he admitted: "I have been pleased with how it has gone and it is days like these you have to grab and enjoy because at this stage of my career I don't know how many more there will be."

The season when the keeper left Burnley to join Middlesbrough, the Teessiders reached the FA Cup Final and Beresford confessed it was a frustrating experience.

"I was cup-tied so I was not really involved and when they got to the semi-final last year I was also not exactly part of it," he said. "In terms of being a player this is my best run by a long way.

"When I was at Burnley in the 90s we never did anything in the Cup so I am really enjoying it."

Beresford was the hero of the last victory by the Clarets at Watford, a 2-1 just over a year ago when he was on loan at the club.

"I saved a penalty when we were 1-0 down, Coxy equalised and then Weller got a late winner," he said. "I know they beat us there earlier this season but it was not a match we deserved to lose.

"I know it is probably not the most glamorous tie of the weekend but at this stage it is not about the size of the club, it is the size of the competition and they don't come much bigger than this.

"We all know we had a slow start to the season but we have come real momentum behind us now. There will be nerves before the game but I think you have to have a few butterflies. We know what a great opportunity this is for us all."

While Beresford will be looking to shut-out the Watford forwards, at the other end striker Ian Moore will be looking to add to his recent run of three goal in four games, six in ten.

But one man who won't be watching him will be his dad, Rotherham United boss Ronnie Moore.

"I never have family come and watch me if I can help it," he said. "I'm just a bit superstitious about that.

"I have never had a lot of luck in the FA Cup and this is the best run of my career. I just hope that we can keep it going and get into the semi-finals."

Moore got an FA Cup hat trick against Canvey Island last season and his current hot streak started with a double against Grimsby in the third round replay.

He also notched against Fulham in the last round and is hoping his FA Cup goal run is far from over.