OPINION
Jack Colback’s unceremonious departure from Newcastle has been one of the few questionable episodes in Rafa Benitez’s reign at Newcastle United.
The midfielder, previously a virtual ever-present for the Magpies, was first dropped to the bench before being frozen out and shunted to train with the reserves, before finally being loaned out to Nottingham Forest.
While it is not clear exactly what happened between Benitez and Colback, it is rather obvious that their relationship is basically broken after spending so long at odds.
Despite all this, Colback has now left the door open for a potential return to his hometown club in the summer following his loan with Championship side Forest.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, he said: “My situation at Newcastle looks pretty bleak, with Rafa. That is one of those things. I am not too fussed about that, but it was disappointing with the way it ended, with Newcastle being my home town club.
“But that is football. Obviously the aim is to get Forest promoted. Then we will see. If the (Newcastle) manager comes calling and wants to take me back there, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
While Colback does seem realistic about his chances of returning to the club under Benitez, he quite obviously still holds out hope that it could happen.
That is understandable considering his ties to the club, but it is unfortunately a totally unrealistic expectation for the 29-year-old midfielder.
When Benitez decides he does not rate someone, or he believes a player has undermined him in any way, there is rarely any coming back from that.
And, when you look at Colback’s case, with the midfielder banished to the reserves for so long while being publicly berated by Benitez on occasion, it looks to be out of the question.
Colback is unfortunately clutching at straws here, and he must try and move on with his life and his career, with Forest or another club beyond.