Huddersfield Town could face Newcastle United in friendly

Jun 10 2009 By Doug Thomson

LEE CLARK could step in to offer former team Newcastle a pre-season friendly.

Such is the turmoil at the relegated North-East club that no plans have yet been made for the build-up to the new campaign, when the Toon will be playing outside the top flight for the first time since 1993.

St James’ Park fans are desperate for Alan Shearer to be made manager on a permanent basis.

But with training scheduled to start three weeks today, owner Mike Ashley, who this week put the club up for sale, has yet to make his intentions clear.

Clark, who served Newcastle as a player then reserve coach, has set up a string of warm-up games for Town, who start training on Monday, June 29.

But he has a couple of slots free, including the key date of Saturday, August 1 – seven days before the new campaign gets under way.

A clash with Newcastle would be a big crowd pleaser, and proud Geordie Clark, who still has extensive contacts at St James’, said: "I certainly wouldn’t rule out a game.