Coventry City midfielder Philippe Clement is desperate to re-gain his place in the Sky Blues first team to avoid facing international heartbreak.

The Belgium star’s Coventry City career got off to the worst possible start when he sustained a fractured cheekbone in a pre-season friendly just weeks after signing.

Since then Clement has failed to tie-down a regular slot and says this is now causing repercussions at international level.

"I had a talk with the national coach and because they only have friendlies now he only picks people who are playing regularly in their team, so it is a bit difficult for me.

"I want to work as hard as possible and get the form back that I had in November when I played, I want to play every weekend - that’s the main thing."

However, Clement admits that niggling injuries have hampered his ability to make a significant impact at City.

He said:

"It’s been a really disappointing season because of all the injuries, it was a really bad start because of that. Afterwards the team was in place and getting good results so I have had to wait."

Clement now hopes to be involved in Saturday’s crucial trip to Filbert Street after impressing last night when the Sky Blues second string thumped their Wolves counter-parts 7-0.

YOUTH TEAM SUCCESS

The Sky Blues youth team moved a step closer to triumph in the FA Youth Cup today with a resounding 4-0 semi-final 1^st leg victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

City hot-shot Gary McSheffrey kept up his unbelievable scoring form by netting a hat-trick, and Craig Strachan rounded off the rout after the home side were reduced to 10 men.

The side now take their comfortable lead into the home-leg next Tuesday night at Highfield Road. (7.00pm)

ROLT ON THE MOVE

Coventry City Chief Executive Stuart Rolt has departed Highfield Road only a few months after joining.

Rolt joined the club in December but previously operated in the engineering sector, where he owned and ran Wolston based FF Developments before selling the company to Ricardo.

He now aims to return to engineering after being brought to Coventry to strengthen the management team overseeing the Arena 2000 development.

City chairman Bryan Richardson said the club fully understood the decision.