STEPHEN Caldwell is confident that Sunderland could hold their own in the top-flight - but has warned his teammates they have no "God-given right" to play in the Premiership.

The Scotland international will make his senior Black Cats debut this evening as Mick McCarthy's side begin their latest promotion push at Coventry City.

He might only have 53 first-team starts under his belt, but Caldwell can already boast extensive top-flight experience after spending six years at North-East neighbours Newcastle and three months of last season on loan at Leeds United.

The centre-half sees his new employers as a Premiership club in waiting, but knows that Sunderland will have to earn their place amongst the English elite.

"It's clear to everyone that we have to get into the Premiership," said Caldwell, who is expected to partner new skipper Gary Breen at the heart of Sunderland's defence tonight. "A club of this size, with this stadium and these facilities, should be in the Premiership.

"But that doesn't mean that we have a God-given right to be there. We have to deliver and make sure that we get there.

"I think we have many Premiership players in our squad and I hope other people see me as a Premiership player.

"It's up to us to prove that and make sure that we get there and prove that we are good enough to stay there.

"Us, the players and the coaching staff, are the people who will get this club promoted."

Sunderland came tantalisingly close to the top-flight last season, narrowly failing to overhaul either Norwich or West Brom in the two automatic promotion places and losing to Crystal Palace on penalties in the play-offs.

Caldwell is one of six new additions to the squad since that fateful May night at the Stadium of Light, and the 23-year-old is desperate to help his new teammates avoid more play-off drama in nine months' time.

"Everybody knows that we will be one of the favourites," he said. "It is up to us to get off to a good start.

"If we do that we can really push on and make sure we finish first or second. That's our aim - to achieve automatic promotion.

"We're not looking to the play-offs, we feel we're capable of finishing in the top two, even though the First Division is stronger than it has ever been in my opinion."

Caldwell will join a select band of players who have represented both Newcastle and Sunderland when he pulls on a red and a white shirt at Highfield Road this evening.

Lee Clark was the last player to cross the divide but, while his move ultimately ended in acrimony, his successor is confident he will enjoy the full backing of the Sunderland fans.

"It's not something that worries or daunts me," said Caldwell. "I'm just looking forward to playing. This is like any other move to me.

"I'm lucky enough to know how good these fans are and I'm delighted to have joined a club with supporters who are so passionate and so committed to seeing their team winning and playing good football."