Northern Ireland midfielder Sammy Clingan says it is "hard to accept" that he might not be a regular for Coventry under new manager Aidy Boothroyd this season.
That is why he is keen to prove his worth for his country on Friday in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia, surprise finalists in the World Cup. Clingan spent the first three league games on the Coventry bench before returning to the team on Saturday when they were defeated 3-1 by Millwall.
Clingan said: "Everyone has started with a clean slate. The lads were buzzing in pre-season and he just hasn't started me. It is hard for me to accept. I am not really used to being on the bench with any of the clubs I have been at. I will have to look at it. I do not want to be a selfish person and go around the training ground sulking and stuff like that. That is not me. I think I am a good professional and support the players."
He added: "If they are in the first eleven I will back them. I feel as though I have something to prove to the new manager. He wants to play a different way to what I am used to. I have got to adapt to it.
"We were beaten 3-1 by Millwall so it wasn't the best of games but I felt I gave a good account of myself.
"I am a bit frustrated in myself, not really with him, because he is the manager and you have to do what he tells you. I just want to be playing in the team."
Northern Ireland go into the qualifier without a goal in seven games and Clingan would love to help out.
He said: "Maybe it could be good for me if I can get a bit higher up the pitch and do a bit of creating. At any club or any level you cannot just rely on your strikers to score goals.
"You have got chip in from other areas. That is something I need to work on as well and score more goals. I got five last year, a lot of them from set pieces but if I could chip in from open play it would be good."
Source: PA
