Caldwell Earns Praise

DEFENDER Steven Caldwell has been named in the Coca-Cola Championship team of the week. The defender, who has been in superb form during Sunderland's six game unbeaten run which has seen them shoot to the top, has been recognised by pundits for his performances lately. As well as scoring his fourth goal of the season, he also provided a perfectly executed right-wing cross for Dean Whitehead's opening goal against Plymouth the other night and looked solid against Coventry. This comes in strong contrast with the Scots defender being left out of the Scotland sqaud for the World Cup Qualifiers. His defensive partner, Gary Breen commented on his Scottish International Snub: "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," Breen said. "I don't think you get back to your house until late on 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."