Clarke gets chance to stake a claim

Clarke has not been able to establish himself fully in the team since his 250,000 move from Wolves in January.

But Burton is doubtful for today’s friendly against Birmingham and almost certainly will not be risked with the new season only seven days away.

The injury has also raised fears that he could miss next Saturday’s Championship opener at Ipswich.

He twisted his knee in the first half of the 2-0 defeat at Oldham on Tuesday and went off in the 42nd minute, which clearly meant it was not such a minor problem that he could stay on until half-time.

The injury is an untimely blow for the striker - who ironically is set to escape a League suspension for the start of the season after his sending-off in Holland.

Wednesday will hope he will recover in time. If they were to lose him for Saturday, or for longer, then it would leave them two down in the striker department, after Steve MacLean’s departure. But the club will also be keeping up their efforts to sign a striker either in a full deal or on loan.

New faces Richard Hinds, Lee Grant and Rob Burch will be in today’s squad, as will Steve Watson, who is now a full signing but missed the crunch match at Birmingham in April after being recalled from his loan by West Brom.

Richard Wood is back after being rested against Oldham match with a knee niggle.

Boss Brian Laws confirmed that the final friendly will see the team begin to take shape for the League campaign.

“Obviously the first Championship game at Ipswich is just a week away, and we now have to put the team together that we feel will be the starting 11.

“Now we approach the last week, when we set things in stone.”