Your Newcastle United headlines for Thursday, July 14.
Clark wanted to stay and fight
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has revealed Ciaran Clark could have joined the club in January. A six-year stint on Tyneside came to an end with this as the 32-year-old joined the Blades on a season-long loan.
After a poor run of form, Clark lost his place under Eddie Howe but wanted to fight for his first-team place. However, it quickly became clear he was not part of the 44-year-old’s plans when he was omitted from the 25-man Premier League squad on February 1.
Clark has finally joined Sheffield United and Heckingbottom is happy to finally land his man. He told SUTV: "We spoke briefly in January when he fell out of the team but he wanted to get back in that team at Newcastle and work hard. But, this season, he knows his chances are going to be limited so he wanted to go out on loan. Luckily for us, he picked us ahead of the other clubs that were in for him."
READ MORE: From go-karting to sheep herding - Inside Eddie Howe's methods to increase Newcastle squad morale
Burn on Botman challenge
Dan Burn is relishing the threat of Sven Botman to his first-team place at Newcastle. Despite becoming a cult hero at St James’ Park at the back end of last season, the Blyth-born defender’s position looks uncertain following the Dutchman’s big-money arrival.
Speaking to NUFC TV, Burn welcomed the challenge and believes competition is healthy for the squad. “He looks really good,” he said. “Obviously, he is only young - I can’t believe the size of him! At his age, I was really, really skinny. I know I’m skinny now but I was even skinnier back then. But he has shown his quality. We have not seen him play a game yet so it will be good to do that and get some more minutes with him. You saw in January, the lads that came in, myself included… it's just competition for places. I think when you know that you're playing week in, week out you can relax a little bit. It's a competition and we will see who gets the spot.”
To read the full story, click here.
Wright’s emotional goodbye
Derek Wright has opened up to ChronicleLive about his emotional training-ground farewell at Newcastle. After 38 years of service, the Magpies’ head physio retired at the end of last season. Toon icons like Alan Shearer paid tribute to Wright after it was confirmed he had left the club. The 63-year-old found it “difficult” to keep his emotions in check in the club canteen last Friday.
"The players all stood and gave me a round of applause for what seemed an age," Wright told ChronicleLive. "That was quite emotional. I was finding it difficult to keep a grip. It was like a wedding after that because they came over one by one and said their piece and then I said my piece. The manager was nice at the end. He just said, 'You must come back. I'm going to keep inviting you back."
To read the full story, click here.
READ NEXT
Real Sociedad respond to Newcastle United's bid for Alexander Isak
Crucial 24 days with Howe hopeful of striker deal in time for Nottingham Forest
Eddie Howe issues Sven Botman update and Armando Broja timescale emerges
Howe's hint at shopping plans, Anderson chance and Mainz 05 respond
Martin Dubravka's agent hints at interest from Premier League rivals
