Ciaran Clark now expects to leave Newcastle United for free when his contract expires this summer. But Sheffield United are still yet to decide on making his loan transfer permanent.
That is according to Chronicle Live, which reports that Clark does not expect Eddie Howe to want him back. The Magpies sent the centre-back to Bramall Lane on loan for a season last July. But the Toon did not seek to extend his contract which is due to expire come June 30.
Clark is one of several Newcastle players whose contracts will lapse at the end of the term. Paul Dummett, Mark Gillespie, Loris Karius and Matt Ritchie also face uncertain futures on Tyneside beyond this season. Yet St James’ Park chiefs are still to decide on their futures.
Sheffield United are still to decide on turning Clark’s loan transfer permanent
Sheffield United could look to turn Clark’s loan transfer permanent once Newcastle release the 33-year-old. But the Blades are still to decide if the 36-cap ex-Republic of Ireland star is worth keeping. He has only played in nine of their Championship games so far this season.
A flurry of hamstring injuries have limited Clark’s availability for Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom. He has missed 18 of their 35 matches so far as the Blades contend for the automatic promotion places. He has also not featured since January 2 – 10 games ago.
Heckingbottom has not unleashed Clark since his return from his latest setback in January. Instead, the centre-half has only appeared as an unused substitute despite defeats against Middlesbrough, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers. They have a seven-point lead over second.
Clark now expects to leave Newcastle for free when his contract expires
Clark has impressed Ben Osborn since he joined the midfielder at Sheffield United on loan from Newcastle last July, though. The Blades star praised the defender in December after scoring as the Bramall Lane natives won 3-1 at home to Coventry City in the Championship.
“His career speaks for itself,” Osborn told SUTV. “He’s got 100, 200 plus games in the Premier League, a wealth of experience. Got promoted from this league as well. I think he came on at Cardiff and he’s been in ever since, he’s been outstanding.”
Clark penned his only goal with Sheffield United during his loan transfer from Newcastle so far against Coventry. He offered the Magpies 11 and four assists across 129 appearances in all competitions after Rafa Benitez paid Aston Villa £5m to sign Clark back in August 2016.
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