What Jack Clarke told Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray after Burnley transfer bids for ex-Tottenham and Leeds man

Tony Mowbray has reiterated that Jack Clarke never pushed for a move away from Sunderland this summer despite multiple bids from Burnley.

The 22-year-old winger scored nine Championship goals and provided 13 assists last season, while he’s already scored five times during this campaign.

When asked if he was ever worried Clarke, who has three years left on his contract, could leave Wearside this summer, Mowbray replied: “Not really. He told me that if the move happens it happens, he’ll take it in his stride. If it doesn’t happen he’s going to be happy at this football club.

“He said that to me so I didn’t have any fears. He wasn’t banging on my door saying ‘gaffer I want to go, what’s going on?’ He wasn’t doing that.

“He was saying if it happens it happens, if it doesn’t happen I’ll give you everything I’ve got which was good to hear and he’s continued to do that.”

Clarke’s two goals during Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Blackburn means the former Tottenham and Leeds winger has scored a third of Sunderland’s 15 goals after seven league games this season

“Since I’ve been here Jack has been a really important figure in the way that we attack, in the way we try and exploit the talents of the individuals,” Mowbray added.

“We played without strikers for a long time so we used our cutting edge in wide areas to try and get behind teams and try and attack them, and Jack was very, very important in that role.

“We have to see how the team is going to grow. We have some strikers at the football club now and they have to acclimatise into how we want them to play.

“The signs are good, they are working really hard in training and trying to take on board what we want from them.

“Jack Clarke, I’m pleased with his goals return so far. I did question before the season started with the loss of Amad whether Jack could continue on the vein of last year with the goals and assists. It looks like he’s going to do that.

“Like I said about the team, him as an individual needs to keep his feet firmly rooted on the ground, keep working hard and trying to do what he’s been doing.”