Clarke feels lucky to be alive

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The on-loan Sunderland player collapsed at half-time during the Carling Cup tie on Tuesday and had to be taken to hospital.

"I know I am extremely fortunate to be here," said Clarke. "In the light of recent events involving footballers who have suffered heart attacks, I am the real lucky one, because I have survived."

He added: "I remember feeling a bit lethargic on the field in the first half, and I was involved in a collision with our goalkeeper Paul Henderson, which led to their goal.

"I sat quietly in a corner of the dressing room and felt a bit queasy. I can recall Patrick Kisnorbo talking to me, but it wasn't really registering. Then I just passed out.

"When I was told what had happened, the blood drained from my body. I just thought I could have been dead, and that I might never have seen my family again.

"When you think about Sevilla player Antonio Puerta (who collapsed last Saturday and died on Tuesday), it goes without saying that a day won't pass when I don't cherish every moment in my life."