Academy striker Billy Clarke is on the road to fitness after his recent medial ligament operation. The Irish U19 international picked up the injury in the FA Youth Cup semi-final second leg victory at Tottenham and missed the final.

Clarke told the club site that his recovery is progressing smoothly: "The operation went well though and now it's a case of spending time swimming and working on the bike to build up the knee.

"If everything carries on according to plan, I should be back in pre-season training a week or so after the other lads."

Although he missed the 3-2 aggregate FA Youth Cup final victory over Southampton, Clarke, like most of the winning U18 side, will still be eligible to play in next year's competition and may yet get to claim a winners' medal.

Photo: Action Images

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