Newcastle United headlines: Ciaran Clark's fight, Dan Burn on Sven Botman challenge and Derek Wright interview

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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."

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