As confirmed by Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill, Tottenham Hotspur starlet Jack Clarke will return from his loan spell prematurely after suffering ankle ligament damage - with the Englishman set to be out for the rest of the season.

Spurs starlet Clarke suffers injury blow

Spurs youngster Clarke had become a regular at the bet365 stadium since joining on loan in January but is now their fifth player to be ruled out for the rest of the campaign - joining Nathan Collins (foot), Tyrese Campbell (knee), Joe Allen (calf and hamstring) and Tashan Oakley-Boothe (back) on the treatment table.

Sent out to the Championship in order to gain valuable experience, Clarke will return to north London this week to undergo treatment at Hotspur Way as his loan spell his cut short.

"Jack hasn’t gone yet but he’ll go this week," explained O'Neill (via Stoke Sentinel).

"Unfortunately he won’t play again this season, he has ligament damage in his ankle. He had a scan yesterday so that’s disappointing.

“We could have done with him. I think we’ve got 10 players out with injury."

Transfer Tavern take

Signed for Spurs in the summer of 2019 from Leeds United, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the 20-year-old next season.

Most likely, he could be sent out on another temporary spell as Clarke looks to eventually redeem his price tag in future years.

Chairman Daniel Levy invested in the region of £10 million to bring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and supporters will be hoping that's a justified fee.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this 6 foot 4 'leader', find out more here.