Ciaran Clark has reflected on his last six months at Newcastle United after joining Sheffield United on loan.

Clark didn’t have a Premier League squad number for the second half of last season following the arrival of Dan Burn in January, and the 32-year-old – who has spent the past six years at St James’s Park – is keen to get back on the pitch at Bramall Lane.

In defence of Newcastle United’s departing defender Ciaran Clark

Asked if he was looking forward to first-team football, Clark said: “Yeah, definitely. Just to be involved in and around the first-team squad again will be massive for me.

“I spent six months last season not involved and just training, which isn’t a great feeling to be honest. But this is a new challenge, a fresh start, and one that I’m looking forward to.”

United midfielder Jeff Hendrick yesterday joined Reading on loan, while striker Dwight Gayle is also available for transfer this summer.

Ciaran Clark makes blunt Newcastle United admission after Sheffield United move