West Brom's Neil Clement out for rest of season

Dec 31 2008 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

TONY Mowbray expressed his disappointment for Neil Clement after it was announced the defender would miss the rest of Albion’s season.

The luckless Clement suffered knee ligament damage in the club’s final pre-season friendly against Real Mallorca.

He picked up a similar injury to the one which damaged his other knee two years ago, a problem which almost forced him into retirement.

Clement has made just 16 appearances in the last two seasons and will not play again now until the start of his testimonial season.

Mowbray admitted it was a huge blow for the 30-year-old, who has made 300 appearances for the Baggies since his move from Chelsea back in 2000.

But he is hopeful Albion’s longest-serving current player will bounce back.

“It is a major disappointment especially after he did so well last season,” Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail.

“He came out of a long tunnel, went to Hull and got himself fit.