'I think he should stay' - Jack Clarke urged to play himself to Premier League with Sunderland

Don Goodman has urged Jack Clarke to stick with Sunderland until the summer despite mounting Premier League interest.

Clarke is having another brilliant campaign, scoring 12 goals already and generally wreaking havoc to Championship defenders.

That has seen the likes of West Ham, Sheffield United, Burnley and Crystal Palace all linked with a January move for the 23-year-old.

Goodman, though, a former Sunderland player himself who is now an EFL expert on Sky Sports, says Clarke should bide his time and use the example of Gustavo Hamer to see the folly of a rushed decision.

“He is, without doubt, one of the best players in the Championship whose next port of call, with or without Sunderland, will be the Premier League,” Goodman told Genting Casinos of Clarke. “I think he should stay.

“I will compare him to Gustavo Hamer as Sheffield United have been linked. I was surprised when Gus Hamer went to Sheffield United as there was a huge likelihood that he would be a Championship player again very quickly and it looks like that will happen.

“Jack Clarke has two-and-a-half years left on his deal. If he stays and continues this vein of form, he will have better options with respect to Sheffield United.

“I think it would be greatly appreciated by the Sunderland fans if he does everything in his power to get them in the play-offs and tries to help them get promoted over the course of the next six months.

“If it doesn't happen and Sunderland accept a juicy offer in the summer, the fans and everyone would then forgive Jack Clarke for pursuing a move to the Premier League.”

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