Rumoured Stoke target has his say on effects of gruelling Portsmouth campaign after Sunderland pain

Pompey’s highly-touted defender played his 60th game of a mammoth campaign in Thursday’s play-off defeat to Sunderland.

Clarke has played all but two of his side’s matches this term, and many are looking at the demands on Kenny Jackett’s players as a factor in them tailing off.

But the 22-year-old explained he doesn’t feel particularly fatigued at the end of his gargantuan effort.

Clarke said:‘I don’t feel particularly tired.

‘Anyone who studies the sport science says you have to have a break.

‘People who know about it say you need a rest now.

‘So it will be a break for me, but it won’t be long until we look forward to getting going again.

‘If you’re a winger I suppose it can catch up on you.

‘But as a keeper or centre-back you don’t get fatigue as much and I feel okay.’