City boss Glenn Roeder admits it was no surprise to see assistant Lee Clark tipped for his first job as a manager. Clark, 36, was this week reported to be a candidate to take over at Carlisle United after the sacking of John Ward at Brunton Park.

City boss Glenn Roeder admits it was no surprise to see assistant Lee Clark tipped for his first job as a manager.

Clark, 36, was this week reported to be a candidate to take over at Carlisle United after the sacking of John Ward at Brunton Park.

That possibility receded when United chief executive David Allen appeared to dismiss the idea of an external appointment in the short term by confirming that caretaker boss Greg Abbott would have funds available to spend in the January transfer window. But Roeder said Clark was definitely a manager in the making, hence the reports.

"I'm not surprised at all, but I've spoken to Lee and he loves it here," said Roeder. "He will be a manager in the future - make no mistake about it. But he's a young coach at the moment, a very young coach who is talented and one day will be a manager.

"I've had some good assistants when I've managed before and he would be right up there with the best. If I was really pressed, I would probably say he's the best I've had because he suits me as a person and I think I suit him as well because I allow him, under my umbrella, to learn to be a manager.

"If he needs to make a phonecall to another club he knows he's got my permission to do it. He doesn't have to come and ask me. He can pick the phone up to whoever he wants. He knows how I think and I know how he thinks. He's just about to complete his Pro licence in the new year, so he'll be fully qualified and working towards one day going on to be a manager - and I think he has the potential to be a very good manager."

One job above all other was Clark's top target, said Roeder.

"Ultimately his ambition is to manage Newcastle - and it should be, as a Geordie - and I think he will have a great chance of realising that ambition. But that's a long way off at the moment," he said. "There are all these sort of names thrown about who's going to be the next great Newcastle manager, but who knows? I don't want to put any added pressure on him but he might be here already."