Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s UEFA Nations League showdown with Wales on Tuesday night, according to The42.
The Irish news outlet claims that the reasoning behind Clarke’s omissions is not clear, but Martin O’Neill’s side will now have to try and get one over on Wales without one of their main players.
Ireland are currently bottom of their Nations League group with one point from their two games. They lost 4-1 to Ryan Giggs’ side last month and would have to win in Dublin on Tuesday to move themselves out of the relegation zone.
OPINION
It is a major blow for Ireland to be without Clark as he has been a mainstay for their defence, but the fact that the reason behind his omission is not clear is odd. Surely the 29-year-old has picked up an injury because he would not have been ruled out of such a big international game unless it was not something serious. If so, that is bad news for Newcastle. Clark is obviously not their best centre-back, but he is still a key first team player who does a job when he is needed. Across all competitions this season, the former Aston Villa defender has made seven appearances and even scored one goal, which came against Arsenal last month. Rafa Benitez will be hoping that Clark’s setback is not serious because the Magpies have some big fixtures coming up where they need all of their players – no matter how important they are – fit and ready.