NEWCASTLE United defender Ciaran Clark is set to complete a loan move to Championship side Sheffield United.

Clark has been training with the club’s under-23’s during pre-season and has been deemed surplus to requirements with Newcastle recently signing centre back Sven Botman for the new season. He is also behind Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Kell Watts for a place in the centre of Newcastle’s defence.

The 32-year-old has been on Tyneside for the last six seasons and has made 129 appearances in all competitions but will have effectively played his last game for the club as he enters the final year of his contract.

The central defender will head to Brammall Lane on a season long loan with a medical scheduled to take place on Monday.

A number of Championship clubs were interested in Clark with Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Birmingham City all monitoring his situation. However, the Irishman will link up with Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades for next season.

Dwight Gayle and Jeff Hendrick continue to train with the Magpies under-23’s squad with Gayle in dialogue with a number of clubs over a potential move.