The manager insisted Lavery, who joined the club on a free transfer after leaving Sheffield United following their recent promotion to the Premier League, has a decent pedigree and will benefit from finding a permanent home after 'one or two' too many loan spells.
Clarke, who has undertaken a complete overhaul of the team since replacing Dean Keates in the dugout at Banks's Stadium, went on to confirm that he is still hoping to add another forward to his squad ahead of Transfer Deadline Day in early September.
Speaking via the club's official website, Clarke said; "He’s a striker, first and foremost and we’re still after another one.
"I think he has got a decent pedigree, he's probably had one or two too many loans for me but he’s found a home now and we want to kick him on. I like my strikers hard working.
"They get judged on goals and his goal-scoring record is not too bad so hopefully, he’ll improve in those areas but he’s a winner and that’s what we need amongst the group. I said last week that there would be two strikers joining before deadline."