Clark waiting on his backroom staff before signing new deal

Clark, who unveiled Hull City defender Liam Cooper on a season-long loan, insists that he is ready to sign and says personal terms have been agreed.

However, the former Newcastle United midfielder is still awaiting confirmation on the deals for his backroom staff – Terry McDermott, Paul Stephenson and Steve Watson.

“As far as my contract goes, we are there. In fact, it is all sorted out,” he said. “The club just has to get the other members of my backroom staff sorted – then we sign it.”

Clark arrived at the Galpharm Stadium in December 2008 but is still seeking his first promotion and suffered the agony of defeat in last season’s League One play-off final against Peterborough United.

Despite the setbacks, Clark retains the full support of Town chairman Dean Hoyle and is determined to win promotion this time around.

“I am very happy to be here,” he said. “I have got a great relationship with the owner and the board, I enjoy my job, and I love coming in and working for a fantastic club.

“The one thing I do want to add this season is that bit of success,” he added. “Promotion is what everyone is craving – and I am even more determined to deliver that.”

Armed with nearly £3m from the sale of Lee Peltier to Leicester City and Anthony Pilkington to Norwich City, Clark has been able to bring in five new players ahead of a planned assault on promotion to the Championship next season.

Cooper, 19, has made only four appearances for Hull but spent two months on loan with Carlisle United last season and still has two years on his contract at the KC Stadium.

A left-sided centre-back, Clark believes Cooper’s arrival will allow captain Peter Clarke to switch to his preferred position at right-sided centre-back.

“Our captain has been outstanding but I feel I have done him a dis-service by playing him on the left when he is right sided,” he said.

“We have known about Liam for a long time and we have monitored his progress. I have a good relationship with (Hull manager) Nigel Pearson from my Newcastle days and he has re-iterated my view that Liam will be a fantastic acquisition. He is naturally left-sided and will give us balance.”

Cooper’s signing was announced less than 24 hours after the capture of former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Tommy Miller.

The Terriers have also signed defender Calum Woods from Dunfermline Athletic, Southampton midfielder Oscar Gobern and Manchester City midfielder Donal McDermott.

With the exception of Miller – who is 32 – all the new players are under the age of 24 and Clark believes that more young players will be keen to join the club in the wake of Pilkington and Peltier’s success.

“My philosophy has been to bring in young hungry players while adding three or four experienced players to help them along who can give them advice on and off the pitch,” he said.

“The group this year can be an example for everyone because of Lee Peltier and Anthony Pilkington. Both have both been outstanding servants to this club and both have now got fantastic moves – one to the Premier League and one that is on the verge. Players who want to be successful for this club and who take the club forward can see that people will start taking notice.

“If they do things the right way, we will not stand in the way of their progress.”

Clark is not ruling out the possibility of further new signings but says he is ‘delighted’ with the additions to his squad so far.

“If we have to go with what I have now, I will be happy,” he said.

“But if the right player becomes available before the start of the season, within our finances, and with the right type of character, we will try to get them through the door.”

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Damien Johnson is high on Clark’s wanted list after impressing on loan last season.

“I rate Damien very highly for the job that he did for us last year, so a move for him isn’t ruled out,” he said.

“Plymouth’s position (in terms of exiting administration) has become clearer, which may help,” he said.

Town’s pre-season programme starts today with a friendly at Blue Square Premier side Gateshead.

It is the first of nine friendlies for Town this summer – all of which are away from home due to re-laying of the Galpharm Stadium pitch.

“We had an opportunity to fit in a home game the week before Bury on the opening day of the season but I wanted a completely free week where we could train on the pitch,” explained Clark. “The pitch is more important to me than a big friendly.”

MORRISON EXITS AFTER JUST SIX MONTHS AT OWLS

Sheffield Wednesday defender Michael Morrison has moved to Charlton Athletic on a three-year deal – just six months after arriving from Leicester City.

Morrison made only 15 appearances for the Owls but fell out of favour under new manager Gary Megson.

”Alan Irvine signed me in January and then got the sack two weeks later which wasn’t ideal,” said Morrison. “Megson came in and for whatever reason it didn’t work out. But that’s the end of it now. I don’t think Sheffield Wednesday saw the best of me but it’s the way it happened and now I want to put that behind me and show everyone that I’m a good player.”

Midfielder Joey O’Brien, who played on loan for the Owls last season, is training with West Ham United after being released by Bolton Wanderers.

Scottish club Falkirk have threatened to involve FIFA if Bradford City refuse to pay compensation for striker Mark Stewart.

The Bantams insist that Stewart, 24, is a free agent but Falkirk say they “fully protected their rights for training and development compensation” by offering him a new contract last season.

Teenager Patrick Lacey has moved to Valley Parade following his release by Sheffield Wednesday.

Lacey, 18, failed to impact on the first team squad at Hillsborough but Bradford manager Peter Jackson said: “My coaching staff and I think Sheffield Wednesday have made a bit of a mistake letting him go.

“He’s come back here for pre-season with the rest of the lads this summer and we still like what he is offering as a player.”

Lacey, a central midfield player, has signed a one year deal at Valley Parade.