NATHAN Clarke spent City's FA Cup tie at Aldershot in familiar surroundings – as an unused substitute on the bench.

Reece Burke's full recovery from a hip spasm meant Phil Parkinson was able to keep the same defence intact as they bagged a third clean sheet on the bounce.

So Clarke was in watching mode once more – a position he has grown used to since returning to his West Yorkshire roots in the summer.

With Burke now away again on England under-20s duty, the experienced centre half should get the chance to add to his three City appearances.

But for a player involved in 93 games over the past two seasons as captain of Leyton Orient, the lack of involvement is quite a contrast.

Some would allow frustration to boil over but Clarke has not made any waves.

According to Parkinson, the defender's attitude has been exemplary. He is often the first man in the gym every morning – getting in some extra work before training has begun.

Clarke sees that as the only approach to further his claims for more action at the sharp end.

The defender said: "I'm not one for sitting around and feeling sorry for myself. I've got to try and focus my energies. Give up like that and you've lost straight away.

"Come into training down and disappointed and you're going to get nowhere. There's only one way to do it. If you start sulking, you've got no chance.

"I worked so hard over the summer to make the move possible. I'm not just going to let it slip through my fingers.

"I do come in early and try to do as much gym work as I can in the morning. I do as much as I can in training to prove I'm worthy of a spot. That should be no different to every other professional.

"If you go the other way and start complaining, that won't impress anyone."

Clarke endured an unconvincing introduction with his new club as they shipped six goals in the opening two games of the season at Swindon and York. But he looked fitter and sharper in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last month.

He said: "It was a difficult start all round. It was frustrating to be left out – but that's football.

"You're not going to be handed a shirt willy-nilly if you aren't putting in the performances. Ever since then, I've been trying desperately hard to get back in the good books and earn my chance.

"We can talk about how much it's a squad game but every player wants a starting XI jersey. As much as the club keep me involved, you want to be out on that pitch doing what you can.

"I didn't come to the club thinking I'd just be handed a place. You've got to work hard and put in the performances to earn your spot.

"I've worked hard at the training ground and hopefully I can now bring that on to the pitch."

Burke's impressive form has kept Clarke on the outside looking in – but he has nothing but admiration for the West Ham teenager.

Clarke, who broke into the Huddersfield team as an 18-year-old, can see the maturity in Burke's game.

He said: "Reece is such a good talent. He's a young lad off away with England all the time and to then come back and put in the performances he has is fantastic.

"Obviously I'd love the shirt but I wouldn't begrudge him his place at all. When I was a youngster coming through, I had the backing from the lads I was keeping out of the squad. I've tried to be the same with him.

"I feel I've been no bother to the staff and helped the starting back four as much as I can, whether it's on the training pitch or on a match day.

"There's a good feel round the club because of the run we're on. You can see the banter and camaraderie in things like when we're having dinner. That can get you through 50-60 per cent of the games.

"Sometimes when you get on so well off the pitch, that can make a positive difference when you're out there. That's definitely the way the squad's going and I'm just trying to be a part of that."

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