Newastle boss Steve Bruce rules out Ciaran Clark departure

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Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has ruled out Ciaran Clark leaving the club this summer after recent speculation.

The 58-year-old was speaking (quotes reported by Chronicle) after the club’s 3-1 pre-season win over Hibernian last night.

It had been reported that former Aston Villa defender Clark could be sold on in order to make room for reported transfer target Stanley Nsoki from Paris Saint-Germain (Chronicle).

But Bruce has moved to quash the speculation, claiming he’ll need the Republic of Ireland centre-back.

He said: “That’s not going to happen at the moment.

“We’re playing with three centre-backs and with Lejeune injured we’ll only have four so I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Clark has been with Newcastle since transferring in 2016 and has made 72 appearances for the club.

TBR’s view

It would make little sense to sell Clark as he offers cover at centre-back and also left-back.

Newcastle could definitely upgrade on him but the timing is probably not right given Lejeune’s injury and the fact Newcastle will be fielding three of their centre-halves every week.

Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar will likely be the go-to trio, but then there is only Paul Dummett in reserve.

With little time remaining in the window, it is surely just easier to just keep hold of £35,000-a-week Clark (Spotrac).