Leicester's veteran fly-half Paul Burke is determined to bury his Twickenham heartache when the Tigers clash with the Ospreys in next month's EDF Energy Cup final.

Trophyless for five seasons, Leicester remained on course for an unprecedented treble with their semi-final victory over Sale Sharks at the Millennium Stadium yesterday.

The Tigers tackle Stade Francais in a home Heineken Cup quarter-final next weekend and they are riding high in the Guinness Premiership.

But, for Burke, the April 15 final of the much-maligned EDF Energy Cup looms as one last shot at redemption.

The 33-year-old was in the Harlequins side beaten 30-27 by a controversial Newcastle try in the last minute of the 2001 Tetley's Bitter Cup final.

The English knockout cup may no longer exist - replaced last season by the new Anglo-Welsh format - but it is a memory which still sticks in his craw.

``We have set ourselves the goal of winning this competition and it's a massive opportunity for some players who don't play in the Heineken Cup team,'' said Burke.

``It will be my first domestic cup final since Harlequins were done out of the game against Newcastle.

``The touch judge gave a lineout to Newcastle when it should have been our lineout. They scored the try from it (through Dave Walder) and then the final whistle went.

``That left a bitter taste in my mouth and it still does. I am very fortunate to be part of a team that can win this competition and we are very determined to do that.''

Leicester led Sale 13-3 at half-time with eight points from Burke and a blistering solo try from man of the match Alesana Tuilagi.

Sale closed the gap after the interval with a try from Sebastien Chabal before another powerful Tuilagi break sent Dan Hipkiss in for the Tigers.

Still Sale clung on and drove Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe over in the corner but Burke's replacement Andy Goode landed two penalties and a drop goal to secure Leicester the win.

It was a disjointed performance but, of greater concern to Leicester, is the elbow injury suffered by Martin Corry which could rule him out of the crucial Stade Francais game.

Corry faces a scan today and is not expected to be out for the season but the initial prognosis from boss Pat Howard left next Sunday's clash in doubt.

But there was also good news on the injury front with England flanker Lewis Moody making a successful return to action following shoulder surgery.

``Missing the Six Nations was frustrating but I am back a week ahead of schedule and it means I can get a game in ahead of next weekend,'' said Moody.

``It will make a massive difference to have played in that game. My left arm is still a bit weak but it was good to test myself out and know you can get through a game and know the shoulder can take the hits.

``Last year we lost this game and it sent our season on a downward spiral.

``We are still in every competition which is great but we want to win something, we want silverware from this season.''

Conversely, defeat ended Sale's last hopes of silverware or Heineken Cup qualification.

All their attention must now turn to the Premiership, where boss Philippe Saint-Andre believes one victory would make them safe.

He said: ``A week off will be best for my players to be physically and mentally fresh for the next league game against Leicester at home because we need to get some points.''

But Sale also have their injury problems and could be without winger Mark Cueto and prop Andrew Sheridan for the crucial run-in.

Cueto faces around four weeks on the sidelines after injuring his calf in yesterday's training run while Sheridan hobbled off with knee ligament damage.

Sheridan, who will undergo a scan today on the medial ligaments in his right knee, had only just returned after missing England's Six Nations campaign with a broken ankle.

Initial examination suggested he should be fit for the summer tour of South Africa but Sheridan joked: ``I should probably start going to church and morning mass.''