Newcastle United’s top goalscorer Ciaran Clark has admitted that he thought about ending his three years on Tyneside last summer.
The 30-year-old was unhappy at his lack of game time and was prepared to leave Newcastle to find the regular football that he craved.
However, a conversation with Steve Bruce convinced the 6ft two defender to remain a Magpies player and what a decision that has turned out to be.
Since he was brought into the side after Newcastle’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Leicester City, the Toon have only lost once, and he has scored two crucial goals.
Clark, who earns around £35,000 per week, has developed the reputation of scoring some important goals for Newcastle, and he now has ten in just 78 appearances that is currently a better strike rate than our £40m striker!
This is the first time Clark has spoken about his situation this season, and it is a credit to him that he has just knuckled down and worked hard.
Is Clark now an automatic starter?
Yes, how can you drop him
No, There are better options
That work and patience has paid off, and Clark is currently a crucial part of our resurgence.
He will now look to help the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2020 qualifiers.
We then have a trip to Clark’s old club Aston Villa after the international break.
It would be brilliant if he could keep up his scoring record at Villa Park and help us to a third win in a row, then that would be an excellent return from the 30-year-old.