STEVEN Caldwell has urged Burnley to become the masters of their own destiny.

The Clarets go into this afternoon's trans-Pennine clash with Sheffield United still clinging to the hope of the final play-off spot.

Last weekend's defeat at Norwich City seemed to have brought an end to the possibility of sixth place, until results in midweek only extended the deficit by a point to four.

Eighth-placed Wolves, who are just a point adrift, have two games in hand on most of the top-half teams, but their next two fixtures are against second placed Bristol City, and leaders West Brom, so nothing is guaranteed.

However, Caldwell has warned the troops not to get wrapped up in the play-off picture and instead concentrate on a strong end to the season in the hope their efforts will be rewarded.

"We've certainly not given up on the play-offs, but we obviously realise it's going to be very difficult to achieve it," the Burnley captain said.

"What's been stressed is that we want to do well in these games, regardless of making the play-offs.

"If we can do that and win the next one, two or three we will see where we are come the last game of the season (at Palace). And hopefully we will have that outside chance of making the play-offs.

"But I think the key thing is that we finish strongly and we don't lose or draw games from now on in and end up falling back and finishing in a real mid-table position."

After leaking a number of avoidable goals in recent outings, Caldwell is aware of the platform a clean sheet would provide in earning positive results from the last four games. And he has called on the entire team to play their part in earning a shut-out against in-form James Beattie and co.

The Sheffield United striker has hit five goals in just three games to take his tally for the season to 20 and lift the Blades to within five points from sixth.

"James Beattie's a tremendous player," he said. "He has been in the Premier League for a few years and dropped down because he felt he was coming to a team with serious promotion aspirations.

"I'm sure they certainly had that, and they probably still have a similar type of feeling to ourselves in that they think they might just get that sixth place.

"He is a fantastic player, and it's up to whoever's picked on Saturday to try to stop him scoring goals."

He added: "We have to achieve more clean sheets, and by doing that we have to defend better as a team, and individually.

"I think it's important we start defending better as an eleven."