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STEVE CALDWELL knows all about life in the Premiership and is relishing the prospect of proving he can star on the big stage after Sunderland's promotion back among the elite.

During six years at Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle United, Caldwell only made sporadic appearances in the top-flight under Sir Bobby Robson and moved on a free transfer last summer with just 20 league starts under his belt for the Magpies.

He spent the back end of last season on loan at Leeds United and was unable to stop them from dropping into the Football League, despite some impressive displays at the heart of the defence.

There had been a suggestion he was going to switch to Elland Road permanently but he found the lure of North-East neighbours Sunderland too strong and agreed to join Mick McCarthy's revolution when he became a free agent.

And now, after the Black Cats secured their place back in the Premiership for next season, Caldwell has his eyes firmly fixed on making a name for himself for the right reasons when the season starts in August.

"I know I can do it, I just have to prove it," said Caldwell, also confident that the rest of McCarthy's squad can adapt to the massive step up.

"We are inexperienced at Premiership level. We've got a few lads who played there but had to drop down. I'm sure we'll thrive on it and the manager will thrive on it too.

"It's not daunting at all. I've played against these players before so I know I can do it. Whatever happens in the match you learn so much from it. I've only learned from the games I've played in the Premier League.

"We've also been strong as a team in every area. We're functioning well as a team. People keep coming up to me and saying we're improving as a team. We've got a progression going and we've got to keep that up."

Caldwell is well positioned to pass judgement on how weak the Championship is in comparison to the Premiership.

All three of the clubs who won promotion this time last year - Crystal Palace, Norwich and West Brom - are close to falling straight back down.

But, although aware of the need to strengthen the squad, Caldwell believes Sunderland's style of play will stand them in good stead when they visit Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and Highbury.

"The Football League is very different from the Premier League. It's more physical and more endurance-based," said the Scotland international, who is looking forward to the promotion party at the Stadium of Light when Stoke visit on Sunday.

"The games come thick and fast. At the start you're shattered with so many games but you're very fit then for the rest of the season.

"The Premier League is more of a football league. In my opinion it's almost impossible to play long ball football week in, week out in the Premier League. That will help us because we're a footballing team.

"There's times when you have to play it long, of course, as Chelsea have shown, but it's knowing the right time to do it."

Meanwhile, midfielder Dean Whitehead has been named Sunderland's player of the year by his team-mates.

The 23-year-old has played in a number of positions since making the move from League Two side Oxford last summer and he has gone on to make 45 appearances.

Whitehead received 12 of 26 first team votes.

Read more about Sunderland here.