Caldwell hoping to boost Clarets on return to Black Cats

Burnley captain Steven Caldwell is desperate to play a pivotal role in the club's fight for survival in the Barclays Premier League.

Caldwell, 29, hopes for a place in the starting line-up against his former club Sunderland today at the Stadium of Light.

He stepped off the bench in the 4-1 victory over Hull and felt no reaction following a four-month absence with groin and abdominal problems.

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With four games left that emphatic win has given Burnley a chance of a second successive season in the top flight and Caldwell said: "I want to play now.

"Time is running out and I feel as though I am ready. I want to be out there. It will be a special day for me going back. I sincerely hope I am playing.

"It is a tremendous place to play football, a great stadium and some great people running the club.

"We have four massive cup finals and beating Hull has given us a bit more confidence. We are buoyant but know Sunderland are an excellent side."

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The victory against Hull – Burnley's first on the road in 17 league games – was due in the main to Graham Alexander's excellence from the penalty spot, the veteran scoring twice.

He rarely misses and Caldwell admits he is in awe of his Scotland international team-mate for the way he regularly finds the target in crucial one-on-one situations.

"I am surprised by the nerve of a guy who keeps scoring high pressure penalties, " said the defender. "It is a difficult thing for me to grasp because when I take them I usually miss.

"To consistently hit it where he wants to hit it, stick with his decision and go with it, is a great thing. It is nerves of steel.

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"I have played with a few good penalty takers. They pick their side, never change their mind and that's why they score a lot of goals."

Manager Brian Laws is adamant his side are right back in the mix to escape the drop.

He said: "It is game on, no question of that. We've grabbed an ankle or two of the teams around us. No one has got away from us.

"We need at least two wins to get out of it.

"That victory against Hull has given us great belief. We responded magnificently after going a goal down," explained Laws.

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"It is a prime time for us to face a Sunderland team who have lost only two league games at home.

"We are feeling confident. If we take something from the game it will be fantastic.

"It's about sticking together, it's about working as a team. The ingredients have to be there to win it. It would set us up nicely for our next home match (against Liverpool)."