Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that defender Ciaran Clark will not be available for his team’s clash with Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
The Republic of Ireland international has been dealing with a variety of injury problems this campaign, and missed the Magpies’ draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.
Benitez had more bad news about him on Friday: “We have now [Rob] Elliot and Clark not available but the others are fine – even [Jonjo] Shelvey was training with us yesterday,” he told BBC Newcastle, as per journalist Matthew Raisbeck’s personal Twitter account.
“Any of the players can start a game now but obviously the match-fitness of Jonjo will be different,” he finished.
Rafa Benitez, speaking to @bbcnewcastle: “We have now Elliot and Clark not available but the others are fine – even Shelvey was training with us yesterday. Any of the players can start a game now but obviously the match-fitness of Jonjo will be different.” #NUFC
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) February 22, 2019
OPINION
This is a blow to Newcastle, because Clark is among the most reliable players that Benitez has at his disposal. However, the pain is lessened by the fact that the former Liverpool chief has about as many options available to him as he has had all season. Clark’s value is in his consistency and his versatility. However, the latter is pretty much covered at this point. The 29-year-old nominally operates at either centre back or left back. At centre back, Benitez can choose between Fabian Schar, Florian Lejeune, Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez. And at left back/wing back, the Spaniard has Matt Ritchie, Antonio Barreca and Paul Dummett at his disposal. Those are plentiful options for a manager who has been working miracles with an extremely limited squad this term. However, that does’t mean that Clark’s return won’t be welcomed when it occurs, because he is a trusted lieutenant of Benitez’s.