Collingwood have poured cold water on speculation that Martin Clarke could return to the AFL some day.

Collingwood's recruitment manager Derek Hine, who visited the Down star on a recent trip to Ireland, said: "I know Martin really well and of course we'd love him to come back at some point in the future but at no stage has he indicated to the club that he would like to do that.

"In all the communication and all the conversations we've had, both in Ireland and since I got back, he's never indicated that. And I wouldn't ask him. I just wouldn't put him in that position."

While Clarke recently revealed that he would never rule out a return to Australia, Hine said the An Riocht clubman was happy to be back home.

"I went to watch him play a game when I was over there and he played really well, which is an indication of how happy he is and how comfortable he is in what he's doing.".

Clarke, who will make his long-awaited Ulster SFC debut for Down against Donegal in Ballybofey tomorrow, played 46 Premiership games for Collingwood before returning home last September to resume his Gaelic football career.

"We really hope that it goes well for him. Martin stayed with me and my family for three years when he was out here and I talk to him regularly, as friends do," Hine added. Tweet

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