Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom eulogised Ciaran Clark after Sheffield United continued their Premier League promotion push. In July, the Republic of Ireland international joined the Blades on a season-long loan once his days on Tyneside appeared numbered.
Eddie Howe omitted Clark from his 25-man squad on February 1, meaning he played no part in the Magpies’ remarkable turnaround at the back end of last season. Sven Botman’s big-money arrival pushed the 33-year-old further down the pecking order - forcing Clark to seek pastures new.
Heading southbound on the A1 - and dropping down a division - to Bramall Lane promised more game time but Clark endured a nightmare start. The centre-back suffered a hamstring injury just two games into his Blades career, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as Heckingbottom’s men surge towards promotion.
