James Abankwah is set to feature more prominently for league leaders St Pat’s now that his mock exams are out of the way.
The teenage centre-back landed a dream move to Serie A side Udinese over the close season and has been loaned back to the Saints until the summer.
But having started the first two league games against Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers, Abankwah only made two appearances off the bench in the next four games.
The 18-year-old came on in the dying stages of the Bohs defeat, wasn’t used in wins over Shamrock Rovers or UCD and had a late cameo winning away to Finn Harps.
But ahead of tomorrow’s clash away to Derry City, Clancy has explained why Abankwah’s minutes have to be managed.
“He’s a young lad James, and he was brilliant against Shels on the opening night but then he had his mock exams,” he said.
“Education is massive for James, otherwise he’d have gone to Udinese already.
“He had to stay and do the Leaving Cert and, after the Shels game, he had the mock exams and we didn’t get him until the following Thursday.
“James is after getting a career-changing move to Udinese in the Premier Division over in Italy and he’s starting to learn a second language.
“He’s also concentrating on his Leaving Cert this summer, so there’s a lot going on for a young player.”
Clancy continued: “He’s going to start games as the season gets going again and when even more games come along. We just have to manage it.
“He only turned 18 in January and it’s a lot to contend with for a lad his age and we’re here to help him as much as we can before he makes that move in the summer.”
Udinese have adopted a hands off approach in how Abankwah is used, leaving that to Clancy and his staff.
“I think they realise the level he’s been playing at and that’s why they made that investment in him,” said Clancy of a signing set to fetch St Pat’s an initial €400,000.
“There’s a lot on his plate and we don’t want to throw him too deep and make him do too much.
“We know that his family are big into education, which is exactly the way it has to be. We respect that and we’ll help James as best we can.”
West Ham and Wolves are both taking an active interest in how loanees Joseph Anang and Jack Scott are handling their stints with St Pat’s.
Goalkeeper Anang, 21, and fullback Scott, 19, have been first-team regulars and Clancy feels Premier League sides now value League of Ireland clubs as a useful destination.
“I know it was either Joseph or (Vítězslav) Jaros who was going to come here last season and it went down the route with Jaros,” he added.
“He was a very successful loan deal but I think Joe is going to be every bit as much a success if not better - he’s been excellent for us.
“It’s a market that a lot of clubs are looking to get players from and experience for their players because they know it’s a good level.”
Meanwhile, Ian Bermingham (back) is St Pat’s only injury concern ahead of tomorrow’s Brandywell trip.
