Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe must make a ruthless call and cut Ciaran Clark from his final Premier League squad as news emerges from the final few days of the January transfer window.
What’s the story?
Reports earlier in the window had suggested that Clark was made available for a loan move away from the club, with Championship side Middlesbrough among those touted with signing him.
However, it was claimed that the Republic of Ireland international turned down an exit from St James’ Park, and it now remains to be seen whether he makes the final squad for Howe’s side for the second-half of this Premier League season.
He must never play again for Newcastle
Clark’s performances this season for Newcastle have left a lot to be desired, with the centre-back part of a defence that has conceded 43 goals – the second-most of any side in the division.
As per Whoscored, the Irishman’s abysmal average match rating of 6.24 ranks him as the club’s worst performing player out of any of those who have played more than ten times this campaign in the Premier League.
His cause hasn’t been helped by the fact that he also got into an altercation whilst on the club’s trip to Saudi Arabia, with Paul Robinson even raising the possibility that he may have already played his final competitive game for the club.
He said: “You don’t know what has gone on behind the scenes but that was the perfect example of how not to perform in an audition in front of your new bosses.
“You don’t get sent off in a friendly game in front of your new owners when you’re on a training camp. He has played in quite a few games this season. If the manager sees him as surplus to requirements I’m surprised we didn’t see him move on before the deadline. Given his recent disciplinary record, this could be the end for him at Newcastle.”
Indeed, writing for The Athletic, Chris Waugh delivered another update on where things stand with Clark, revealing: “The squad is yet to be confirmed, though it is understood Lewis and Ciaran Clark were informed they would not make it, which is why they were told they could go out on loan.
“Given they have stayed, Howe is believed to have assessed the final list again, with it appearing to be a straight call between Clark and Federico Fernandez for the last centre-back berth.”
If it is to be decision and a straight toss-up between Clark and Fernandez, then there can simply be only one option.
The £35k-a-week earning Irish ace must never play for the Magpies again.
Meanwhile, Newcastle made an error in the January transfer window with this man…