Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark has been a bit-part player for the Magpies in recent seasons.
During the early part of Ciaran Clark’s career at Newcastle United, he enjoyed great success and played an important role in them earning promotion from the Championship.
The 29-year-old defender joined the Magpies for £5 million [SkySports] during the summer of 2016, when he made the switch from Aston Villa, who had suffered relegation from the Premier League along with the North East club.
But since Newcastle’s promotion, it seems as though centre-back Clark has become a bit of a forgotten figure on Tyneside, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave this summer.
Last season, albeit under the now-departed Rafa Benitez, he only played 11 Premier League matches, with Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar well ahead of him in the pecking order.
Newcastle have had their problems over the years, but one thing they have done right is prove their worth in defence, with Lascelles arguably being their standout star.
When a new manager arrives at a club, it gives a player that has perhaps hardly featured a chance to prove himself and break into the starting XI.
Clark will have that chance with Steve Bruce, but given the two players in front of him, it would be a surprise if he were to force his way into the team.
The Republic of Ireland international turns 30 in September and given his age and lack of strong performances in England’s top-tier, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the club opts against renewing his contract which expires in 2021. [transfermarkt].
The Magpies would be better off cashing in on Clark before his contract runs out and with it bring in some younger legs to build a platform for the future.
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