Source: Team_Talk
Clarets captain ready for action
urnley captain Steven Caldwell is desperate to play a pivotal role in the club's fight for survival in the Premier League.[LNB] Caldwell, 29, hopes for a place in the starting line-up against his former club Sunderland tomorrow at the Stadium of Light.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"It is a tremendous place to play football, a great stadium and some great people running the club.[LNB]"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."[LNB]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.[LNB]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-to-one situations.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Manager Brian Laws is adamant his side are right back in the mix to escape the drop.[LNB]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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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)."
