STEVEN Caldwell has expressed his bewilderment at being left out of Walter Smith's first Scotland squad, but pledged to do all he can to earn a dream date in Milan next month.

The Sunderland centre-half, who returned from a calf injury in Monday night's reserve-team win over Nottingham Forest, won his fifth international cap in October's 1-1 draw with Moldova.

After making history in that game - his defensive partnership with brother Gary was the first time two siblings had played together for Scotland in a competitive match - he looked like finally establishing himself in the international fold almost four years after making his debut in Poland.

But, despite impressing as the Black Cats have mounted a spirited promotion push in the last three months, Caldwell has been axed from the 25-man squad that will meet up in Manchester next week for an intensive four-day training camp.

The 24-year-old has not been told why he has been so readily cast aside and admits that Smith's decision has left him both perplexed and disenchanted.

"I was extremely disappointed to have been left out of the squad," said Caldwell. "I take great pride in representing my country and to not be included in the squad is hard for me to take.

"I've been involved in the international set-up recently and it is a bit of a mystery to me why I've been ignored this time.

"I've not even spoken to the new manager - I've had no contact at all - so I don't know why the decision has been made.

"Perhaps it is because of the games I have missed recently because of injury. That is the only thing I can think of, but they haven't even checked on my fitness."

Scotland's next World Cup qualifier sees them travel to Milan on March 26 to take on an Italy side currently riding high at the top of the Group Five table.

Smith claims that he has yet to settle on his starting XI but, after failing to make the coach's top 25 this week, Caldwell's chances of starring in the San Siro appear slim.

The former Newcastle defender remains hopeful of forcing a re-think though, and knows that a run of dominant displays on Wearside offers the only route back to the Scotland side.

"I play at a big club in a league which, with the exception of Celtic and Rangers, is probably better than the Scottish Premier League," said Caldwell.

"It is a decision I find very difficult to understand but it is up to me to play so well for Sunderland that it is impossible to leave me out of the next squad."

Caldwell's first chance to impress could come at Molineux tomorrow night as Sunderland look to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment at Everton by beating a resurgent Wolves.

The stakes could not be higher as, with Ipswich and Wigan both playing on Saturday, a win would take the Black Cats to the top of the league for the first time this season.

Caldwell was an unused substitute at Goodison but, after proving his fitness earlier this week, the Stirling-born stopper is likely to return to the starting line-up tomorrow.

"I'm confident of being fit," he said. "We know we can go top if we win on Friday and, psychologically, I think that's important.

"Having said that, it only really matters who is top at the end of the season. We want to go up as champions, but getting into the Premiership is the main thing."

* Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has said he will not rush Kevin Kyle back into first-team action.

The Scotland striker is on the road to recovery after completing his first game for five months on Monday and has shown no ill-effects from the 45-minute run-out in the reserves as he looks to overcome a hip injury.

But McCarthy said: "We're still at the fingers crossed stage with Kev.

"He's had 45 minutes of football in five months.

"If he comes in over the next couple of days and feels fantastic, then we'll have to see."

* Former Sunderland centre-half Joachim Bjorklund looks like missing a re-union with his former team-mates tomorrow night after straining his hamstring as Wolves lost 2-0 at Arsenal last weekend.

* Sunderland's Neil Teggart has been named in the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad to face Scotland in a friendly in Belfast on February 8.