Sunderland have been boosted ahead of the season run-in following the news that talisman Jack Clarke will be fit to feature before the end of the campaign.
The 23-year-old has been the Black Cats’ standout performer this season, scoring a career best 15 goals. He picked up an ankle ligament injury in the 2-1 defeat against Birmingham City at the end of February and it was feared that that would be his last outing for the Wearsiders.
The winger has been heavily linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light this summer. He was the subject of heavy interest during the last two transfer windows, with the club rejecting several bids from Burnley last summer and Lazio in January.
He is expected to secure a big-money move at the end of the season, where there are several interested parties from the Premier League and beyond. The likes of Brentford and West Ham United have been linked, although more are expected to enter the race.
Clarke is under contract until 2026, and Sunderland are thought to want a fee close to £20 million to convince them into selling. It is also claimed that former club Tottenham Hotspur inserted a 25% sell-on clause into the deal that saw him arrive in the North East on a permanent basis in 2022.
His current time on the sidelines has coincided with the club’s dreadful run of form. In the five games he has missed, they have failed to score in three and have picked up just a solitary point. Although play-off ambitions may have disappeared, interim boss Mike Dodds will still be keen for his star man to return as soon as possible.
It now looks likely that he could feature before the end of the campaign, with his agent Ian Harte confirming the news. Speaking to FreeBets, via Sunderland Echo, the ex-Leeds United defender said:
“Yeah, 100 per cent he will do (play again this season).
“He is still not ready yet. He still has not joined the group yet. He has been doing a bit of one-to-one. He only had the boot off a week ago. I’m guessing the physio is going to have to make sure that he gets back and that he is right before they push him into the team.”
Sunderland are next in action on Good Friday when they travel to South Wales to take on Cardiff City.
Writer’s View
It’s a welcome boost for Mike Dodds, who will be keen to pick up as many points between now and the end of the season. Jack Clarke has been the man who has stood tall above all others throughout the campaign, and he could be the man who helps turn around their fortunes.
Harte’s comments indicate that he will play a role between now and May, although the Easter fixtures may come too soon. However, with the winger expected to depart the Stadium of Light in the summer, it will give the supporters an opportunity to see him don the red and white stripes one last time.
Head of Writing
