clutch slave cylinder

Whilst swapping my clutch slave cylinder because it went spongey . As i pulled the cylinder off the bell housing the pushrod and clip came with it .
Has any body got any tips to refit it while the engine is still in the truck
I have tried a tube over the pushrod to act as a sleeve that will push the clip
I have even driled and tapped a hole in the bellhousing to push the clutch arm forward so i could press against it .
The last resort is engine out for the sake of a 50p clip ......Any ideas

unlucky!! try slightly warming the 2 legs of the clip, (only very slightly though , they melt quick) it makes them a bit more plyable

Well I finally admitted defeat after braking 3 new clips
I removed the engine to fit a new 50 pence item .
Its now modified so it can never happen again

i hope you welded a plate over your clutch fork to stop if wearing through on its ball