Sheffield United fans might not have seen the very best of Newcastle loanee, Ciaran Clark, as injuries continue to take their toll at the club.
Clark has only made two appearances in the Championship for United. Since then, an injury has kept him out of proceedings, while Stuart McCall confirmed last week that the Irish defender had suffered a setback in trying to return.
However, while some might throw the ‘waste of a loan and money’ tag at Clark and United, The Telegraph has revealed some interesting figures behind the move. The Telegraph reports how Clark is on around £40k-a-week at St James’ Park. But while United have taken on some of that wage, the Blades are actually paying less than £14k-a-week of it.
It’s reported how Clark is seeing two thirds of his wage picked up by Newcastle. The Toon are under new ownership with the controversial Saudi Public Investment Fund overseeing things now, and Clark was one of the players moved out in the summer.
But it seems that PIF are still picking up the tab for a number of loan players at the club, with Clark one of them.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Our View: Ciaran Clark Wages Are Low, He’ll Play A Big Role
With the way the season has gone with injuries there is no doubt every member of this Sheffield United squad will play a part between now and May.
Clark had looked good in those two games and it was a shame to see him go down injured. The problem he has now is trying to usurp Rhys Norrington-Davies, who has made the left centre-back position his own recently.
But regardless of whether he replaces RND or not, Clark will play a big role. And in terms of modern football wages and a Premier League player, the £14k-a-week mark is not a big price to pay really, provided the defender does get back to fitness.