Ciaran Clark may have played his last match for Newcastle United, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
The Republic of Ireland international helped the Magpies keep a rare clean sheet as a substitute in the vital victory at Leeds United in their last outing.
However, Clark has otherwise struggled for form this season and was most notably sent off after just nine minutes in the crucial home clash with relegation rivals Norwich City in November.
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The 32-year-old was also dismissed for an ugly clash with Al Ittihad goalscorer Abderazak Hamdallah in Newcastle's mid-season friendly last week.
Eddie Howe was able to secure five January recruits, with Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier all coming in to strengthen a porous defence.
Reports indicate Clark is one of several players at risk of being cut from Newcastle's 25-man Premier League squad, with claims the centre-back turned down a deadline-day switch to Championship outfit Middlesbrough.
Robinson fears the defender fluffed his lines in the 'audition' with United's owners watching, and reckons it could prove to be the 'end' of his almost six-year stint at St James' Park.
He told Football Insider: “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.”
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