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Report: Newcastle open to selling Ciaran Clark in January if Lejeune returns

Newcastle player Ciaran Clark in action as referee Lee Probert looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at ...
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Newcastle United are reportedly willing to offload Ciaran Clark.

Newcastle player Ciaran Clark in action as referee Lee Probert looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on September 15, 2018 in...

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United are willing to let defender Ciaran Clark leave in the January transfer window – if Florian Lejeune is fit enough to play.

The Magpies swooped to sign Clark from Aston Villa in a £5million deal back in the summer of 2016, landing him to bolster Rafael Benitez’s defensive options.

The Irishman was a regular in his first season with the club as Newcastle won promotion to the Premier League, but was in and out of the side last season as Lejeune and Jamaal Lascelles featured consistently.

This term, Clark has started five Premier League games, and seems to be behind the likes of Lascelles, Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar in the pecking order.

Now, The Chronicle claim that Newcastle are prepared to let the 29-year-old leave in January, but only on one condition; that Lejeune returns from injury to play in 2019.

Ciaran Clark looks on during the Newcastle United Training Session at The Newcastle United Training Centre on October 24, 2018, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

French centre back Lejeune has been out since the summer with a major knee injury, but is expected to return soon, and that could give Newcastle a huge boost at the back.

It would also drop Clark to fifth choice centre back at St James’ Park, and he will no doubt be looking for first-team football instead, meaning a January departure may make sense for all parties.

Ciaran Clark of Newcastle United (02) celebrates after he scores Newcastle's only goal during the Premier League Match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St.James' Park on...