TONY Mowbray has praised Jack Clarke for the way he's dealing with the ongoing transfer speculation, with the winger still a leading target for Premier League side Burnley.
The Clarets have this summer bid for Clarke, who joined the Black Cats from Tottenham 12 months ago after a successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light.
Clarke shone in the Championship last season, topping the division's assists chart, and started pre-season in fine style with a double in the 4-3 win at South Shields on Saturday.
But his future remains uncertain, with Burnley still hoping to take the 22-year-old to Turf Moor before the summer is out.
Mowbray says Clarke is handling himself extremely well despite the speculation and uncertainty, but admits at this stage he can't be sure how the situation will play out.
"First of all I thought today he played extraordinarily well," said Mowbray when quizzed on Clarke's situation.
"He hit the bar two or three times, he scored two goals.
"The talent is obviously there. When you look on a football pitch that has a lot of young players on it, it's the Patrick Roberts' and Jack Clarke's that just make a difference in football matches. We need individual talent.
"Last year we had Amad to help with that. As we did with the team last year, we kept the team pretty solid, were brave in possession and got it to the front players, who could damage the opposition. Jack Clarke can obviously do that in this division."
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Mowbray added: "I think 11 goals and 13 assists last year, it's a real improvement for him and the test for us would be to get more from him this year.
"My conversation with him - and again, I don't get overly involved with what goes on behind the scenes - he said to me he loves playing here, he's in no rush to leave but if that's what pans out, he's a footballer, if he moves he moves.
"He's not stamping his feet or being petulant or creating a problem in training. He's working hard and enjoys his football."
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