Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has ruled out allowing Ciaran Clark to leave the club after speculation linking him with a move to Crystal Palace and Bristol City.
The 29-year-old has been at St James' Park for three seasons, but made just eight Premier League appearances last season after enduring a host of injury problems.
His future has come into question in recent days, with Crystal Palace and Bristol City touted as potential destinations. Bruce, though, speaking after the Magpies' 3-1 pre-season win over Hibernian, has ruled out allowing Clark to leave - as he simply doesn't have the bodies to cope with a defensive departure.