TOM CLARKE will make a full and quick recovery from his nasty knee injury.
That's the view of his 22-year-old brother Nathan, who suffered a similar season-long lay-off when he was in his teens.
Defender Tom, 18, suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage (the same injury as Newcastle and England's Michael Owen) during the 2-1 home victory against Carlisle on October 14.
He has had keyhole surgery already and will undergo a follow-up operation later this month before starting rest and full rehabilitation.
"Obviously it was upsetting at the time, but Tom is okay now he's had time to get his head around things," said Nathan, who was hoping for a first-team recall today after two matches dropped.
"He knows what's in store for him and he knows it's vital he works hard with Lee Martin, our physio, when the time comes.
"I suppose I'm ideally placed to tell him how things will be because of what happened to me a few years ago, and he's at the age where he will bounce back.
"He's got a lot of good people around him, family and friends, and the lads at the club are tremendous, so he'll have all the help and support he needs.
"And I've no doubt, knowing Tom, that he will be back quicker than you think."
Tom has been ruled out for this season and given the target of making sure he's fully fit for the start of next pre-season in July.
