Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark has not featured for the Magpies since he tarnished the club's mid-season tour of Saudi Arabia last January.
The former Aston Villa centre-back appeared to punch a Saudi player as one of the friendly games was coming to an end, which led to Clark swiftly being sent off in the behind-closed-doors contest. It was a deeply unpleasant and embarrassing moment for Newcastle, with dignitaries including the UK Saudi ambassador Neil Crompton all in attendance.
Before the game, boss Eddie Howe had waxed lyrical about how well the tour had gone and insisted the trip to Jeddah had increased squad harmony as well as producing new friendships with the club's Saudi owners and locals.
