What’s the latest on Ciaran Clark?

Ciaran Clark is expected to leave Newcastle United this summer after falling down the pecking order under Eddie Howe and being left out of their Premier League squad, but the 32-year-old remains at St James’ Park and doesn’t appear to have a host of suitors interested.

Clark is out of contract in 2023 and hasn’t made an appearance since January, so the writing has been on the wall for months. Newcastle need to cash in on the Republic of Ireland international early rather than lose him for nothing next year, but Chris Waugh of The Athletic says they’re struggling to move on the deadwood.

With 129 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Aston Villa in 2016, Clark has a wealth of experience that would be a major benefit to a lot of clubs, but his £35k-per-week/£1.8m-a-year wages are putting off Championship clubs from making a move.

Waugh said Newcastle have been actively offering out their players without getting offers back, so they risk being stuck with the 32-year-old for another year if he can’t be moved on. That being said, Clark isn’t a negative influence in the dressing room.

Dan Burn recently hailed the centre-back as an unsung hero for turning up to training with a positive attitude and supporting the first-team as much as possible, so Dan Ashworth should be able to find a club that want a good egg like the 32-year-old.

In other news, Newcastle signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin would go against transfer policy