Trainers clear No. 9 Butler's top scorer to return to game action against Temple

Butler is expected to have its top scorer back on the court Saturday against Temple.

Guard Rotnei Clarke has missed the last three games with a severely sprained neck. Team trainer Ryan Galloy says Clarke has been cleared for the game after returning to full-contact practice Thursday and remaining symptom free. If there are no changes Friday night or Saturday, Clarke will be permitted to play, Galloy said in a statement released by the team Friday.

Clarke is averaging 16.3 points. He was injured during the first half Jan. 12 at Dayton. The ninth-ranked Bulldogs (16-3, 3-1 Atlantic 10) beat Dayton, Richmond and No. 8 Gonzaga without Clarke, but had a 13-game winning streak end Wednesday night with a 54-53 loss at La Salle.