SUNDERLAND skipper Gary Breen has described Steve Caldwell's international loss as Sunderland's gain in the club's quest for a return to the Premiership.

Despite an impressive first season with the Black Cats, since his move from Newcastle United last summer, Caldwell has still failed to convince his country to come calling.

The last of the 24-year-old's caps came back in September against Moldova - Berti Vogts' last game in charge - and has since been left perplexed by his omission.

New boss Walter Smith has again chosen to overlook Caldwell for this weekend's World Cup qualifier in Italy, despite having a major part to play in helping Sunderland to the top of the Championship this season - including a starring role in the weekend win over Coventry.

Sunderland skipper Breen, himself on international duty with the Republic of Ireland this week, has been stunned by his team-mate's non-selection.

"To hear people talk about why he has not been named in the Scotland squad is testament to how well he's been playing for Sunderland," said Breen. "I think it would be even more difficult to leave him out of the squad if he was a Premiership player.

"I think he's probably playing a better standard than a lot of others north of the border. Only Rangers and Celtic (in Scotland) are probably better than us but that's a totally different matter."

Caldwell, initially on stand-by, did receive a late call-up from caretaker boss Tommy Burns in November for the friendly with Sweden but was never handed the chance to earn his fifth international cap.

But Breen, buoyed by Sunderland's two point lead in the race to reclaim a top-flight place next season, believes Caldwell's misfortune is having a positive effect on the club's bid for success.

"On a personal level it's very disappointing for him to not get in the Scotland squad but from Sunderland's point of view I'm delighted he's not," said Breen.

"Two games away from Sunderland is difficult. You come back and as much as you try to prepare, and rest, it's tough in your first game back with your club after going away.

"I don't think you get back to your house until late Thursday night and, if the games are away, you'll have done a lot of travelling and hanging around airports, so I'm delighted Steve's not going."

Breen has met up with the Irish squad ahead of their trip to Israel for Saturday's qualifier and insists it is the first opportunity he has had to consider the prospect of playing in next year's World Cup.

"I haven't really thought about it because, in truth, I try when I'm with Sunderland to concentrate on Sunderland and when I'm in Ireland concentrate on Ireland," said the composed defender.

"Don't get me wrong, trying to qualify for Ireland's fantastic. I'm not in the team but the lads who took my place when I was injured have done brilliantly and we've beaten some of the best teams in the world so I've got to bide my time."

But first of all, a year before he can start to think about appearing in Germany wearing the Irish colours, Breen is focused on getting Sunderland back to the Premiership.

Mick McCarthy's side have opened up a five point gap to Ipswich in third place and chances of promotion are strengthening by the week.

And Breen said: "It takes over your life really because the prize is so big. I don't want to play First Division football, I want to be in the Premiership and the club wants to be in the Premiership too.

"You see lots of supporters around in our day-to-day lives and they're desperate for us to get up there as well. At my age you get used to dealing with it (pressure) and switching off so I find it quite easy to do it but the young lads have been brilliant."

Julio Arca expects to be fit to play QPR on April 2 despite suffering a recurrence of a hip injury in Saturday's win over Coventry.

* Sunderland have sold out of tickets for the trip to QPR.

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