Sunderland's Jack Clarke celebrates his goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Norwich City at the Stadium Of Light, Sunderland on Saturday 28th October 2023. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The 23-year-old is currently out of action with an ankle ligament problem – and he is set to spend around another month on the sidelines before he returns to action.
This setback looks set to be costly for the Wearside club in their quest to secure a place in the top six at the end of the season, with their latest defeat against the Saints being a further setback for them.
The Black Cats may have scored twice yesterday, but results have been poor without him, even if that isn’t the only factor contributing to their current decline.
Things have gone downhill for the club since the latter stages of Tony Mowbray’s tenure, but Clarke continued to get himself on the scoresheet at that point.
Registering 11 goals and 14 assists in 50 competitive appearances last term, he has managed to build on that with 15 goals and four assists in 35 games this term.
There’s no doubt his tally would be higher if it wasn’t for the injury setback he sustained last month – and he may have even got himself on the scoresheet at St Mary’s yesterday.
Southampton’s interest in Jack Clarke
The game on the south coast will have given Clarke the opportunity to impress Saints officials ahead of a potential move in the summer, with Martin’s side believed to be keen on the winger.
Alan Nixon believes the club are lining up a £15m move for the player ahead of the summer, although they may only be able to complete this deal if they are promoted at the end of the season.
If the Black Cats fail to win promotion, something that’s likely, Clarke would be open to a move to the Premier League and that could give the south-coast outfit a real chance of signing the ex-Tottenham man if they go up.
Martin on Southampton target Clarke: “One of the best players in the league”
Although Martin praised the Black Cats for their performance yesterday, he still feels Clarke could have made a real difference for them.
He said: “I feel they have such a talented squad, a very young squad.
“Jack Clarke makes them a very different proposition. I think he’s one of the best players in the league so when he’s not in the team they’re a different proposition. That’s not being disrespectful because I think they’re a really good team and not a one-man team.
