Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy believes Newcastle's recent upturn in form is 'partly down' to the form of defender Ciaran Clark.
Clark earned a deserved recall to the Ireland squad for their friendly with New Zealand and and next Monday's crucial EURO 2020 qualifier at home to Denmark.
The 30-year-old has started the last five games for the Magpies as they lifted themselves out of the relegation zone, up to 13th place in the Premier League table - two points off fifth place.
The former Aston Villa defender has scored in each of Newcastle's last two games and he is now in line to win his first Ireland cap in 14 months.
"I watched him at West Ham. I thought Newcastle were brilliant to be quite honest," McCarthy told Sky Sports.
"He has scored a couple of goals but he is not somebody I need to watch. He is not like a new player we have suddenly found.
"I know Ciaran, he was in my first squad, it is just the fact that he has been injured. Now he has been playing, Newcastle have had some good results. Maybe that is partly down to him as well."
Clark has had to be patient at club level, with Newcastle having six centre-halves who have all impressed across the last couple of seasons.
After struggles with injury and a lack of game-time, McCarthy is delighted to see Clark playing regularly again - not just for the Republic of Ireland but for him on a personal level as well.
Speaking to the FAI's social media channels, McCarthy added: "I was looking at one of the apps [on Saturday] with the teams and he wasn't even in the squad so I rang him to ask 'are you injured?'
"But whenever he scored, I looked at Newcastle's game and he had scored, so I sent him a text message to ignore my voicemail and to tell him I was delighted he had scored.
"Two in two games and he is playing well. He is back playing in the Premier League regularly and Newcastle have had some good results.
"He is playing well and it is great to see him back for him as well."
