This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Stoke City manager Nathan Jones is looking at making a signing on the verge of the kick-off of the new Championship season, after Potters skipper Ryan Shawcross suffered a broken leg in the club's friendly against Leicester City at the weekend.
In light of Shawcross' injury, Jones is considering a move for Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark, a player who has attracted interest form a number of clubs with Crystal Palace and Bristol City also keen, according to a report on Football Insider.
So would the 29-year-old be a good signing for Stoke City?
We discuss........
George Harbey
“I think that Clark would be an excellent signing for Stoke after the devastating injury to Shawcross.
“He hasn’t played an awful lot of games for Newcastle over the last year or so, but thinking back to when they won the Championship, he was exceptional.
“He formed an outstanding partnership with Jamaal Lascelles that season, so it would be interesting to see how he plays alongside the likes of Danny Batth or Liam Lindsay next year.
“A change of system for the Potters? Three at the back, maybe?”
Ned Holmes
“I think Clark would be an excellent addition for Stoke.
“The 29-year-old has got proven Premier League pedigree and would improve the Potters backline, potentially for the next few years.
“Clark has only spent one season in the Championship previously but was promoted with Newcastle at the end of it and that experience could prove useful in Nathan Jones’ side’s promotion push this season.
“He has fallen out of favour at Newcastle and a fresh start at Stoke could help to revitalise his career.”
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George Dagless
"I would say so.
"Clark is a good player and is an experienced operator at both Championship and Premier League level.
"Shawcross is going to be a miss, of course, but Clark is the sort of player that can come in and have a similar influence on the squad under Nathan Jones.
"Whether or not he features much for Newcastle if he stays this season should sway his decision and, in that regard, I would imagine he is open to an exit if the right offer comes in."