ANDY Keast has reacted with bemusement by Clive Stuart-Smith's England axe.

The scrum-half, who moved to Worcester in the summer as one of England's 'elite' players, was yesterday removed from the 56-man squad drawn up by new national coach Andy Robinson.

And the decision to remove Stuart-Smith was met with disappointment by the Warriors' head coach Keast.

"I don't know what the reason is," said Keast.

"However, if you are picking for the future, if you are selecting potential talent, then what's changed?

"Clive Stuart-Smith is not playing regularly for Worcester at the moment but we all know of his potential.

"I'm sure Clive will be very disappointed but he's obviously got time on his side. He's still a young man."

Stuart-Smith has started just one Premiership match since his summer arrival from Leeds when he was hailed as England's next big thing.

He was last year named as one of the senior national academy players alongside Leicester's Harry Ellis. However, the under-21 skipper has found life tough at Sixways with Matt Powell and Neil Cole ahead of him in the half-back pecking order.

"Players know that when they get a chance, they have to take it. At present, Matt Powell has done that. However, all the players know at Worcester that if they work hard and perform, they will be given a chance.

"It's then up to them to take that chance."

Meanwhile, Keast has revealed that prop Neil Lyman is still struggling with the sternum injury which has forced him out for most of the season.

The veteran tight-head, who is enjoying a benefit year at Sixways, has been told to rest to fully recover from the chest problem.

Worcester take on Leonessa on Friday night in the second leg of the European Shield quarter-final. For the latest team news from Sixways, don't miss tomorrow's Evening News.