Sunderland star reveals what he thinks of Ipswich Town’s Jack Clarke after ‘stepping into shoes’ of former teammate

Add as preferred source on Google

Sunderland ace Romaine Mundle and Ipswich Town winger Jack Clarke have both endured difficult campaigns for different reasons this season.

Many Sunderland supporters feared the worst earlier this season when winger Jack Clarke departed to Premier League Ipswich Town in late August.

Former Leeds United youngster Clarke was Sunderland’s Player of the Season last term, scoring 15 goals in 40 second tier appearances, and was the main reason the Black Cats avoided relegation.

Clarke departed for the Tractor Boys in late August, having made two Championship appearances for Sunderland under Regis Le Bris before the £15million move.

Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle has taken up Clarke’s mantle wonderfully this season, and has now revealed his thoughts on his former teammate ahead of the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United.

• READ MORE: Sunderland face nightmare as Jobe Bellingham stance becomes clear

Romaine Mundle reveals what he thinks of Jack Clarke after Sunderland step up

Both Mundle and Clarke have endured difficult seasons this term for different reasons, at Sunderland and Ipswich respectively.

Mundle has been in impressive form under Le Bris, notching five goals and two assists in just 17 starts, but his campaign has been blighted by the hamstring injury he suffered in the 2-2 draw against Coventry in November.

Clarke, however, has made 31 Premier League appearances for Kieran McKenna’s side, but has failed to find the net across the whole season in his first campaign as a top flight footballer.

Reflecting on taking up Clarke’s Black Cats role, Mundle told BBC Sport: “I remember, I was nervous. I think it’s normal, obviously a fantastic player like Jack Clarke was, and he still is a great player,

“But stepping into shoes like that, you are obviously going to feel a bit nervous, but I just remember coming in and telling myself to play my game and the rest will take care of itself… it was a good start (to the season).”

Mundle returned from the Sunderland sidelines with a 25-minute cameo in the Coventry second leg win, to see Dan Ballard’s dramatic headed winner, and will be fighting for a starting role against Sheffield United on Saturday in the play-off final.

• READ MORE: Sunderland must defy supercomputer prediction in Championship play-off final

Romaine Mundle must not repeat Jack Clarke fate this summer

Earlier in the season, reliable West Ham United source ExWHUEmployee revealed via The West Ham Way podcast that Mundle is one of several Sunderland targets, including Chris Rigg and Dan Neil, that the Hammers are keeping tabs on.

Despite Mundle’s Premier League potential, the injury issues have hampered his game time this term and have hindered his development, thus making an immediate step up to top flight football a difficult task for the former Spurs youngster.

Clarke has endured that fate firsthand this term, suffering relegation with Ipswich having failed to find the net all season.

If Sunderland fail to earn promotion through the play-off final, it is imperative for their potential Championship campaign next season, and Mundle’s development, for the left-winger to remain on Wearside despite the growing attention in his signature.