Ciaran Clark injury eases Steve Bruce’s dilemma for Newcastle’s trip to Aston Villa

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Steve Bruce confirmed a new injury blow, with Ciaran Clark picking up a knock ahead of Monday’s game at Aston Villa, which actually gets him out of a tricky decision.

The Chronicle report Bruce revealed Clark’s injury occurred while on international duty with Ireland, and also skipper Jamaal Lascelles has not suffered ligament damage, as suspected, but has actually fractured his tibia.

Bruce reportedly said: “Ciaran Clark is our biggest worry after coming on with Ireland. He’s got a knock. We ll see how he is. Lejeune and Fab Schar have trained all the past two weeks so they come into reckoning in that respect.

“Jamaal has a fracture of the tibia so it’s going to be a few weeks. Thankfully, his knee ligaments are alright. Yes, he’s picked up a nasty injury but it’s not as bad as we thought it would be.”

As disappointing as the news of Clark’s injury is – which will likely see him miss out on a return to the club he made over 100 appearances for – it bizarrely gives Bruce an escape route from a difficult decision.

With Fabian Schar always likely to return to the team on his return to fitness, he was the player expected to replace Lascelles. But Bruce was still left with a conundrum of how to get Florian Lejeune back into the side.

With Clark and Federico Fernandez looking so accomplished since breaking into the team, it would have been harsh to drop either of them for the Frenchman.

Lejeune’s extra quality could offer new dimension to Newcastle

But Bruce is aware of the extra quality Lejeune brings to the team, and from the way he has spoken about him, it is evident he wants to find a place for him as soon as possible.

With Clark doubtful, and the number of quality centre-backs at the club, there is absolutely no reason to risk playing the Irishman.

That would also give the manager the opportunity to throw Lejeune his big chance, while knowing he will have the trusty Paul Dummett to turn to, if the French defender starts flagging in the latter stages.

So it would be little surprise to see Newcastle start the Aston Villa game with a central defensive three of Schar, Lejeune and Fernandez, and if it is, it will be a formidable lineup for the opposition forwards to come up against.