SUNDERLAND'S Steve Caldwell is desperate to play in Japan's Kirin Cup which starts today, as he bids to stake his claim for a permanent place in the Scotland side.

The centre-back was given the all-clear to travel to the Far East for the competition despite nursing a knee injury, with the national side playing Bulgaria this morning and then the hosts on Saturday.

A medial ligament problem is threatening to sideline the former Newcastle defender but, with Hearts duo Steven Pressley and Andy Webster staying at home ahead of this Saturday's Scottish Cup Final against Gretna, Caldwell is determined to take his opportunity.

"It is a great chance for me to cement my place in the Scotland team," said Caldwell. "It's going to be tough because were not going to acclimatise to the time difference and the weather. We're going there, playing the games and coming back.

"But it's a great chance for me, a fringe player, to push myself forward and establish myself as a Scottish international.

"I feel very much part of the squad and I want to be in the XI.

"I have a lot of confidence in the manager (Walter Smith) and I think he has in me. He's certainly showed that in the last five or six games."

Caldwell's central defensive partner at Sunderland, Gary Breen, is also on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, but the Black Cats' skipper is not expected to stay on Wearside for much longer.

He was dropped when caretaker boss Kevin Ball took over and Caldwell was handed the captaincy. With his current deal expiring this summer, 32-year-old Breen is not expected to be offered a new contract.

He will head through the exit door, in what will undoubtedly be a busy summer at the Stadium of Light, with Julio Arca. The classy left-sided player is being tracked by a number of clubs, with West Ham the latest to show an interest.

Alan Pardew's side, who play Liverpool in the FA Cup Final on Saturday, believe they in pole position to land the Argentinian .

Everton and Fulham remain keen on the £1.5m-rated player, but Arca is thought to favour a switch to Upton Park and UEFA Cup football which he hopes will put him back in the spotlight for international honours.

* Richard Cresswell and Stephen Crainey will miss the Coca-Cola Championship play-off showdown with Watford at the Millennium Stadium after being told the red cards they received in the semi-final against Preston will stand.

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