Clarke ready to take place in big league; City starlet poised for full debut after a rapid rise.

Byline: Andy Turner 

IT HAS been a big week for Jordan Clarke.

After earning his first cap for England Under-19s, the full-back - who is still only 17 - is now on standby to make his full Championship debut for Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow.

Not bad for a player who admits that he used to be a bit of a brat.

He couldn't be further from that now - bright, well-mannered, mature and the model professional who is enjoying every minute of success that his precocious talent is providing.

"I wasn't expecting to get a professional contract this early, let alone get called into the Under-19s," said the lad from Coundon, "so everything has come so soon.

"It was a shock to get the call but I went on in the second half against Russia and got forward well and set up one of the goals.

"It has given me a bit of confi-dence and hopefully I can keep progressing and make the gaffer pick me."

With Patrick van Aanholt out with a groin injury, Clarke is vying for a place with Marcus Hall who is himself coming back from a knee injury.

"My preferred position is rightback but I don't mind playing left-back," said the hot prospect who played in the position against Huddersfield in pre-season and against Hartlepool in the Carling Cup.

"Patrick sent me a text while I was away saying that I might be playing and I thought, 'oh my god!' The gaffer hasn't said anything yet so I have to wait and see.

"I would love to play but I know I have to bide my time because I am the young one of the group and I have to prove myself."

He has, in fact, been at the club since he was eight, having shone in a higher age-group for Coundon Cockerels' junior side.

"I am in my tenth year so I am due a testimonial," joked the player whose dad this week wished he had put his money where his mouth was when enjoying a kickabout with his son as a toddler. "My dad says that he should have put a bet on me playing for England one day because he recalls saying that to me back when I was three and playing in the back garden.

"He bought me the old Man United black kit and I asked him if I was the referee. I hate Man United. I am an Arsenal fan, although I also support my home team Cov as well."

As he was growing up, though, he was happy to style himself on Paul "The Guv'nor" Ince, adding: "I used to watch him a lot because I started out at centre mid-field. I was more defence-minded because I hated people scoring. I was a bit of a brat because I used to have a go at a lot of people but as I grew up I knocked it out of myself and have learned to just get on with things.

"These days I admire players like Glen Johnson and that's who I would like to emulate. I also look up to people like Stephen Wright who is like me because he doesn't like being beaten. He went in for two or three tackles in training the other day and Marcus Hall said, 'What are you doing?' but he is a good role model."

Chris Coleman is in no doubt that he has got an extremely talented player on his hands but knows he has got to pick and choose his games. "We have got to be careful with him and put him in and take him out at the right times," he said.

"He is very strong, very aggressive and brave. He's quick and wants to progress, and has come on leaps and bounds since the first day he trained with us in the pre-season.

"Do we play Jordan on Saturday in a tough game at home, playing on the wrong side? I don't know. I haven't really made my mind up."

CAPTION(S):

BIG FUTURE... Jordan Clarke is set to be named in the City starting line-up for the first time, having just returned from international duty with England Under-19s.