CLARETS captain Steven Caldwell has told his team-mates to put their Carling Cup disappointment behind them, because the league is their number one priority.

Burnley return to Championship action tonight when they entertain Swansea in their second of four televised Sky Sports games this month.

And central defender Caldwell is back with a vengeance following suspension, desperate to recover from back-to-back league defeats, and avoid a hangover after suffering their worst defeat since the start of the season at the hands of Spurs in Tuesday night’s semi-final first leg.

“It’s a bigger game than Tuesday,” said the 28-year-old.

“Obviously the whole cup run has been fantastic, and we’re still in it, still fighting to get to that final, but our league form is more important.

“It’s our bread and butter, and with it being on Sky and such a big game for us with losing two in a row in the league, which we haven’t done since the start of the season, it’s crucial we win.

That would put us right back on track.”

After sitting out last Saturday’s goalless draw at QPR in the FA Cup third round, the former Newcastle and Sunderland defender endured a frustrating watching brief at Spurs as he served the last of a two-match ban, following his red card at Doncaster Rovers.

But Caldwell insists his absence has re-energised him for the second half of the season.

“Obviously I was disappointed to miss two games through suspension, and I was doubly disappointed one of them was at White Hart Lane,” he said.

“When I first got sent off, I was on the floor, because I knew the games I was missing, so I was low for a couple of days.

“Then I tried to make it a positive; I’ve had a bit of a rest and I’ll try to come back stronger and fresher, because I’ve played the majority of the games.

“I got over it, accepted I was missing the games, and got myself hungry – not that I’d lost my hunger, but hungry and desperate to play a game of football. That’s what I’m like.

“Last season was bitterly disappointing for me, I picked up a few injuries, which I’d never really had in my career. I couldn’t get any rhythm going, but I worked hard in the summer, and knew what I was capable of.

“I wasn’t at my standards last season, so I’m pleased I’m playing to my standards this season.

“We’re halfway there, there’s a lot of important football to be played, so hopefully I can pick up the baton against Swansea, and get back into my rhythm.

“I need to be playing week in, week out to be in that kind of rhythm, and once I get started, hopefully I’ll have a fantastic 20-odd games before the end of the season.”

And, collectively, Caldwell is keen for Burnley to demonstrate their promotion potential against draw specialists Swansea tomorrow (kick-off 5.20pm), after signing off 2008 with disappointing defeats to Barnsley and Doncaster.

“I think we’re one of the best sides in the Championship and, on our day, I think we’re THE best side in the Championship,” he said.

“We have to keep on proving that, doing the business, not just talking about it.

“In the main, we’ve done that this season, and this is another important game.

“I’ll just try and influence it with the qualities I’ve got, and, as a captain, it’s important I keep everybody on the right track and play well myself, defending as I can and keeping a clean sheet.

“We did really well defensively at QPR, we were solid and I can’t remember one chance they had in all the game.

“It was a really pleasing performance against a good side.

“I’m a defender, so I want clean sheets and tight defensive displays, I’d rather win 1-0 than 3-2 – although I’d rather win 5-0!

“A goal at the other end would be an added bonus, but a clean sheet is what I’m after.”