‘Wear your shinpads’ – John Stones sent warning by Luton Town midfielder that he’ll be booted around the pitch upon reunion

Published: 11:50, 10 Dec 2023Updated: 12:00, 10 Dec 2023

Luton Town star Jordan Clark has joked that his former teammate John Stones is in for some rough treatment during their reunion on Sunday.

Manchester City defender Stones only returned from injury in the club’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in midweek but has now been warned about the treatment he’s in for from his old Barnsley pal.

Stones wasn’t at Barnsley for long before Premier League clubs came swoopingCredit: Getty

The duo came through the ranks together at Oakwell as youngsters, with Everton swooping to land Stones for £3million in January 2013.

Three years later the England international moved to the Etihad where he has since lifted almost every major honour in club football.

Stones has struggled with injuries this season, however, with various issues restricting him to just nine outings for club and country.

The 29-year-old is finally back fit as City look for a first Premier League win in five matches but Clark has promised his seamless transition to life in midfield will be given a proper test at Kenilworth Road.

He said: “I came through at Barnsley with him, I know him really well.

“I’ve known him since he was six or seven and now he’s playing midfield, so I’ll probably kick him a few times when we play them, I’ll boot him around the pitch a little bit.

“He’s not done too bad to be fair, he’s still as daft as a brush, he’s not changed at all, which is always the best thing. You see someone go to the top like that, it can change people, but he’s still the same guy.

“I think maybe the week leading up to the game, I’ll send him a text saying wear your shinpads!”

Stones may find himself on the turf several times during his battle with his old teammateCredit: Getty

Clark was the hero for Luton at WembleyCredit: Getty

Although Stones and Clark both played in Barnsley’s 0-0 draw with Brighton on the final day of the 2011/12 season, they never had the chance to both be on the pitch at the same time.

Stones established himself as a regular in the side in the following season and made the jump to Goodison Park in January 2013.

Pre-match press conference: Pep Guardiola (Premier League: Luton Town vs Manchester City)

Clark meanwhile struggled to establish himself at the Tykes before a series of spells around the football league led to him joining Luton in 2020.

The 30-year-old etched his name in Hatters’ folklore by scoring in regular time and a penalty in the playoff shootout win over Coventry that led to the club’s return to the top flight in May.

Clark, who has made four substitute appearances this term since returning from injury himself, now finally gets the chance to share the same pitch as his old mate Stones on England’s biggest stage.