Stand-in captain Clarke Carlisle is proud to be leading the Clarets' fight for Premier League safety.

Boss Brian Laws has made Carlisle captain in the absence of the injured duo of Steven Caldwell and Graham Alexander.

And the central defender, who has done the job for the last four games, is determined to keep driving the team forward.

"It's the first time in my career that I've been honoured to wear the armband for a league fixture which I was surprised to find out," said Carlisle.

"Before that it's always been in cup games or when the captain has come off the pitch, so to lead the team out has filled me with so much my pride.

"I love the role. There's something war-like, like you are leading your team into battle.

"You have to set the tone and really go out there to lead by example, although the great thing about this team is we have loads of leaders.

"The gaffer could have passed the arm band to half a dozen individuals who would do a fantastic job and would really set the standard."

Caldwell, who has been out since before Christmas with a pelvic injury, and Alexander, sidelined since last month with a calf strain, are both heading back towards fitness.

Alexander is the nearer of the two to making a welcome return in his holding midfield position with Saturday's game against Portsmouth now a realistic target.

Clarke Carlisle is ready to face Portsmouth again

Carlisle was also an injury scare for the crucial clash with Pompey after suffering a suspected broken toe in last Sunday's defeat at Aston Villa.

But scans revealed no major damage and Carlisle is ready to lead from the front again if required against the league's bottom club, who look set to go into administration and take a nine-point deduction ahead of their visit to Turf Moor.

"I am enjoying it, as short-lived as it may be," he added.

"I don't want to think that it has changed me as a player because I always feel I go out there and give 100 per cent, try and do my best in every single game and be accountable for every action I make.

"But there is something about wearing the arm band that makes it almost a pre-requisite that you are the flag bearer."

Meanwhile, young striker Wes Fletcher has returned to Turf Moor following a month-long loan spell Grimsby Town.

The 19-year-old was restricted to just one start for the League Two strugglers but made five appearances from the bench and scored once in a black and white shirt.