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Clark a major doubt for Bournemouth clash

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Image for Clark a major doubt for Bournemouth clash

Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark is considered a “major doubt” for his team’s clash with Bournemouth on Saturday, according to The Chronicle.

The newspaper claims that the Republic of Ireland international, who has missed the past few weeks due to injury, isn’t expected to be back in time for the trip to the Vitality Stadium.

The 29-year-old hasn’t started a game for the Magpies since the team’s FA Cup exit to Watford at the end of January, with this being the latest setback in an injury-hit campaign.

OPINION

This must be incredibly frustrating for Clark, who has played very little football over the past few months. His irritation will only be amplified by the emergence of several new options at the positions he plays. The Irishman can operate at both centre back and left back, but he is not guaranteed a starting spot in either of those roles at the moment. When everyone is fully fit Rafael Benitez can call upon Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Florian Lejeuene and Federico Fernandez at centre back, with Matt Ritchie and Antonio Barreca options at left wing back, while Paul Dummett is someone who can play in both positions like Clark. That doesn’t leave much room for the former Aston Villa man. However, with Schar suspended and Lascelles injured the Bournemouth game could have been an opportunity for him to feature, but Clark’s own setback likely makes that impossible. Things certainly aren’t looking good for the veteran defender.

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