Steven Caldwell has challenged his Burnley team-mates to extend the club’s unbeaten run into double-figures as Watford head into town tonight.

The red-hot Clarets – buoyant after Saturday’s emphatic derby win against Preston – may climb into the Championship play-offs with victory over the beleaguered Hornets.

That would take their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches, with Saturday’s clash at high-flying Reading on the horizon.

Captain Caldwell accepts that if the Clarets are to make a realistic top six challenge this term, then they must beat those sides regarded as favourites for promotion.

He counts Watford and Reading among those teams, but insists Burnley boast enough quality to compete against the league’s so-called ‘bigger clubs’.

However, the skipper knows that actions speak louder than words, and, with the next batch of World Cup qualifiers just around the corner, he wants to enter the international break with the club’s unbeaten run firmly in tact.

“We have to get results against the likes of Watford and Reading,” said the central defender.

“Reading are really going to be up there - one of the three teams who, I think, will be challenging for the championship.

“We’ve got to go there and show that we can compete with them and get a positive result - hopefully a win, but a draw at the very least would be an excellent result.

“That’s what we will be aiming for. But, first and foremost, we have to keep our home form going against Watford.

“It’s going to be a very difficult game, but if we play to our maximum, we can win it. I feel that with every single game in this league.”

Caldwell added: “We’re obviously confident after winning a few games.

“The dressing room is not a bad place to be in at the moment. It’s pretty enjoyable to be around the lads.

“We are just looking forward to another three points and a positive result against Reading.

"Then we’ll get a bit of a break so we can re-group again.

“Hopefully, we’ll come through the next international break as an unbeaten side. That would be an excellent achievement.”