Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway and Ipswich Town’s George Hirst are two of the other strikers in the squad who will be desperate for an opportunity.
Hirst scored five goals in an injury-hit spell in the Premier League and was often an impact player behind new Chelsea signing Liam Delap in the pecking order at relegated Ipswich.
Tall and another powerful runner, he is the type of profile Clarke likes and had three good chances against Iceland on Friday.
He ranks favourably across the top five leagues in Europe this season for aerial duels won per 90 minutes, according to website Fbref.
His manager at Ipswich, Kieran McKenna, also believes the best is yet to come from the 26-year-old, who he said was a big miss for his side when out this season.
“That profile of striker – tall, gangly, in their mid-20s – those strikers, they tend to develop a little bit later at times,” McKenna said.
“Often you look at some of the ones who’ve gone on to do really well – at 24, 25, they’re certainly not where they are at 28, 29, 30.
“I think he’s got a good chance to keep developing, he’s maturing well and it was a really good moment for him.”
Conway, at 22, also has the potential to grow. Yet he has already played more than 100 games in the Championship, arguably the most gruelling league in Europe.
At the beginning of the season, he was second choice at Boro after his switch from Bristol City.
However, following Emmanuel Latte Lath’s sale in January, he stepped in and ended the campaign with 13 goals.
Only four players scored more in the division. Of the players to score 13 or more, Conway had the best shot accuracy and was third for shot conversion rate.
He has yet to score in his five caps, four of which have been as a substitute, but he has already shown in his club career he grabs goals.
