THE threat of Stephen Jordan breathing down his neck isn’t the only reason why left back Christian Kalvenes wants to stay on top of his game.

At 31, he wasn’t expecting to fulfil a career ambition to play in England.

Infact, he had already returned to his native Norway once his Dundee United career had come to an end, and was enjoying a family holiday in Greece when a call from Owen Coyle meant he would soon be packing his bags again.

“I always wanted to play in England, like most Scandanavians when they are young because you watch so much on TV,” said the former Sogndal and Brann defender.

“When I was back in Norway I was 29 and didn’t think I would go abroad, but the Scotland thing came up from nothing, so I’m very happy with how the last few years of my career are working out.

“I had already moved home (last summer), and I just had an opening where if something could happen in the Championship, I would take one or two years, and when I was away in Rhodes in the summer, the gaffer phoned up, so it was a good thing.

“If the circumstances were right, I was happy to come, and when I spoke to the manager, it sounded really good.

“I’m just trying to suck it all in and enjoy this great experience and remember it all when I retire.”

Kalvenes got his career on British soil off to a dream start when he scored in a 2-2 draw against Rangers at Ibrox.

But he admits to getting a rude awakening to life in the Championship.

However, Kalvenes believes back-to-back defeats at the start of the season have already served to make the Clarets better in the long-run.

“I think after the first two games we have got better and better, but it’s such a long season that if you start speculating where you are going to finish, it won’t do you any good,” he said. “Winning the next game is your target.

“The first two games knocked our confidence and brought us back down to earth, but after that, we’re not conceding many goals and playing better and better, so confidence is growing every game.

“It’s not the biggest squad in the world, but still we have so many quality players.”

Kalvenes has first-hand experience of that after being kept out of the side by Jordan, establishing what looks set to be one of the most hotly contested duels for a starting place all season.

“That’s how it is and what has happened.

“After I got injured against Plymouth Stephen came in, and now it’s my turn,” said Kalvenes, who replaced the suspended Jordan against Birmingham and kept his place for the trip to Coventry.

“Everybody wants to play, that’s why you’re in football, you don’t want to sit on the bench. It’s always frustrating when you’re on the bench.

“But still, you know it’s part of the game and you’re part of the team.”

He added: “The game against Coventry was won by two of the substitutes, and probably the most skilful players in the team.

“You will see after Christmas when injuries and suspensions come, but hopefully we will still have a big enough squad to compete with the best teams.”