Ciaran Clark has revealed Eddie Howe regularly contacts him while on loan at Sheffield United. Earlier this year, the 33-year-old was left out of Newcastle United’s 25-man squad following a busy January transfer window.
A run of poor form - as well as the arrival of Dan Burn - saw Clark fall down the pecking order on Tyneside. Despite not featuring as the Magpies secured Premier League survival, the centre-back continued to train with the first-team squad.
His days on Tyneside were numbered once Sven Botman signed in July and a move to the Championship beckoned. Clark - who helped Newcastle win the second tier in 2017 - joined the Blades on a season-long loan.
READ MORE: Kieran Trippier's message to Newcastle United supporters after Magpies climb to second place
A frustrating start to the campaign saw the Republic of Ireland international suffer a hamstring injury. Several months were spent on the treatment table but Clark has impressed since returning in November.
With his new side sitting second in the Championship table, the defender has his sights set on a top-flight return. It could have been easy for Toon boss Howe to forget Clark after discarding him twice this year.
Newcastle are flying high in the Champions League places and Clark is almost certain to leave the club once his contract expires in May. However, the 33-year-old disclosed how the Magpies’ manager has kept in touch throughout his loan spell.
“Newcastle, I’ve not even really thought about it,” Clark said. “I signed a season-long loan and I’m trying to do my best to help the team. I have spoken to Eddie, just ringing up to see if everything was okay and to see how I was doing. How the family was. It was a nice call to be fair.
“He does look after you and make sure that you’re not forgotten about,” Clark continued. “I knew how the season was going to look at Newcastle. I could see the direction the club was moving in and what they were going to do with the squad. My main aim now is to get promoted.”
READ NEXT
Jamie Carragher addresses Arsenal meltdown with Mikel Arteta after air turned blue at Newcastle
Eddie Howe already knows Jose Mourinho 'secret' as Newcastle bid to prove Steve Bruce wrong
Transfer truth told after 'a lot' of calls about exciting €100m-rated star linked with Newcastle
Furious Newcastle row led to Alan Shearer going 'mad' and FA didn't buy who club blamed for it
Sven Botman's fury Eddie Howe has loved and Newcastle star's perfect response to being dropped
