DEFENDER Clive Clarke returned from injury to play 90 minutes as
the Reserve beat Portsmouth and admitted that he was delighted to
be back in action after an ankle injury frustrated his first month
at Upton Park.
Clive signed from Stoke City for £250,000, but has so far seen
his first-team chances limited due to ankle ligament damage. But he
turned in a solid display on his return to competitive action at
Fratton Park and is now looking forward to pushing for a place in
Alan Pardew's team.
"It felt good to be back," he said. "I have only
been back in training for just over a week and it was my first 90
minutes of the season. It was also good to be back amongst the
lads, because being out injured for a month has been pretty
frustrating.
"I damaged ligaments in my ankle. I did have a problem
with it about six or seven months ago, but unfortunately it
re-occured during pre-season. It all felt okay during the
Portsmouth game though so I'm confident that I'm over
it now.
"We played well against Portsmouth and I was impressed with
some of the young players in the side. Kyel Reid on the left wing
and Jemel Henry at right-back both stood out, but it looks like the
Club have got a few really excellent young players."
With his competitive debut for the Hammers now
complete, Clive can concentrate on making an impact on Alan
Pardew's first-team squad having been forced to watch from the
sidelines so far.
"First of all I need a couple of Reserve games under my
belt," he said. "The international break will be a good
chance to get some training done and then I'll be pushing as
hard as I can to get in the first-team.
"Obviously the team have made a really good start so
it's going to be difficult. But hopefully once I get my chance
then I can step in and do a good job.
"I've been in the last two matchday squads and
I've travelled with the team. But I haven't
played much football, so my aim is really to get into the 16
first of all and then hopefully break into the starting 11
eventually."
Clive was managed for his Reserve team debut by Kevin Keen, but it
isn't the first time the pair have teamed up. Clive actually
knew the Hammers coach while Kevin was a player at Stoke between
1994 and 2000.
"We played together for a season or two at Stoke,"
revealed Clive. "Kevin saw me come through the ranks at Stoke
so he knows me pretty well.
"I don't know whether he had any input on the Club signing
me. I think that Alan Pardew was already looking at me, but I'm
sure Kevin gave his opinion - I can only hope that it was a good
one!"
Clive's Comeback
1st September 2005