Clark seeks Premier Division exposure

ASTON VILLA defender Ciarán Clark wants to play more Premier League games to ensure Giovanni Trapattoni selects him for Euro 2012 finals in Ukraine and Poland.

After an impressive start to his senior career with Villa last season at centre and left-back, Clark has struggled to get in the starting line-up under new boss Alex McLeish. The 22-year-old knows he has a tough task in replacing Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne and Stephen Ward in his favoured positions but is determined to join teammates Dunne and Shay Given at the Euro 2012 finals.

“If I can get some game time and show what I can do again that will help,” said Clark. “I’ll keep going and striving no matter what. There are a lot of good players in that squad. They have been doing brilliantly. It’s up to me to wait my turn, do as well as I can, work hard and hope to impress. I’m delighted for Shay and Dunnie. They’ve played so consistently well for Ireland so to achieve this is superb. It is a massive occasion for us to get into a major tournament. Hopefully I can get there next summer.”