Actor Michael Caine is playing down his chances of success at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards for his role in The Cider House Rules.

The 66-year-old has been nominated for his role as an unorthodox 1940s orphanage doctor in the film, which sees him use an American accent for the first time.

Last year he won a best actor Globe for his role in Little Voice, and this year he is up for a best supporting actor prize.

But he thinks his success in 1999 may harm his chances of winning another Globe in 2000.

"The Globes are tough. The supporting section this year is the toughest of any category I've ever seen.

"I have that kind of luck, but I won best actor last year in the Golden Globes and that might stand against me."

Like his 1966 classic Alfie, the central issue is abortion, as his character, Wilbur Larch also performs illegal abortions.

'Nice' character

He said: "I was very anxious to do this because I've played a lot of sleazy characters in my time, and this man is the nicest person I've ever played in my life."

Caine added he needed three months' intensive training to get his accent just right.

"My coach said can you do an American accent? I said sort of, I did it, and he said, 'that's Californian', and I couldn't tell the difference - that's how subtle it is."

Author John Irving, who spent many years trying to bring his story to the screen, said it is intended to show what happens when abortion is illegal. He has also been nominated for a Golden Globe.

Caine is up against Tom Cruise (Magnolia), Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile), Jude Law (The Talented Mr Ripley) and Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense). The awards take place in Los Angeles.