Ciaran Clark may never play for Newcastle United again following a number of new arrivals to St. James’ Park, says one pundit.
Centre-back Clark, 32, was sent off in a friendly against Al-Ittihad after punching an opponent last week. The former Aston Villa man was given a straight red card in front of watching Saudi dignitaries after striking Al-Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah.
Hamdallah was also dismissed following an ugly altercation, but afterwards the pair were pictured together shaking hands.
The incident cannot have gone down well with boss Eddie Howe on the back of his dismissal nine minutes into the 1-1 draw with Norwich City in November.
It’s understood Clark is set to be omitted from Newcastle’s revised 25-man Premier League squad. Football Insider claim Clark turned down a move to Middlesbrough on deadline day after Newcastle signed Dan Burn from Brighton.
Howe was busy in the January window with four other recruits alongside the towering Burn. And they will have to axe three players from their current squad to make for all five new recruits.
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The end for Clark at Newcastle?
And former England keeper Paul Robinson, speaking before the January deadline, believes Clark may not be seen in the black and white of Newcastle again.
“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,” Robinson told Football Insider.
“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.”
Clark, who signed from Villa in August 2016 for £5m, is out of contract in 2023.
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