Souness Praise For "Stand-In" Clarky

Last updated : 21 September 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

"I am sure Lee Clark will not mind me saying so but the main reason we brought him back home was to work with our reserve team coach Tommy Craig and learn the ropes on the other side of the game.

"But he has been in every squad I have named this season and this is all down to him as he really has been great to have around.

"When some players are not high on confidence, it is important that those around them want the ball and that's exactly what happened on Sunday.

"Lee Clark wanted the ball all the time and while he may not have got any headlines, he was one of the reasons we won."

Shearer added: "I thought Lee Clark was fantastic on Sunday. He might not be as quick as he was but give him the ball and he acts as a great link man."

Clark is only on a six-month contract at St James' Park and he knows he does not have that much time to persuade Souness to extend it, especially as he knows that if all United's midfielders were fit he would be lower down the pecking order.