Kirkland's latest injury blow has placed his hopes of winning a place in Sven Goran-Eriksson's Euro 2004 squad in grave doubt, but Clemence insists that all involved in the England coaching set-up still rate the Liverpool man as a future number one.
Clemence said: "It's really unfortunate for Chris. We are all very disappointed for him that, just at a time when he was beginning to establish himself in the first team, he should pick up another injury like this.
"We are looking forward to seeing him playing again as quickly as possible and the positive thing is that, still being so young, time is very much on his side. We all remain convinced that he has what it takes to be a top-quality goalkeeper."