Newcastle United outcast midfielder Jack Colback has lifted the lid on the confusion surrounding his future at the club and admitted he would like to sign for loan side Nottingham Forest permanently.
The 29-year-old was shipped out to the Championship side from St James’ Park in the winter transfer window of 2018 and after an impressive second half of the season, returned to the City ground for the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign.
With confusion over how long he has left on his contract on Tyneside, he revealed he still has a year to go – but does not believe he will ever play for the Magpies again.
He told the Nottingham Post: “If you ask me if I would like to come back and sign permanently, the answer is yes.
“It is not as easy as that in football. Forest themselves have to commit to a permanent deal. Then you have to work out that deal. I have a year left on my contract at Newcastle… when I saw the reports that said I was out of contract, I had to check with my agent that I did have a year left.
“It is not as though I am looking at it and thinking that I will go back to Newcastle and try to get back in the team. I am realistic enough to know that, if the current manager is still there, I am not going to be playing.
“I am not sat here thinking that things might change if he goes – the way I am looking at it is to think that I haven’t played for the club for two years and it is unlikely that I will do again.”
Opinion
Colback’s words will be music to the ears of the Toon Army – who will have likely forgot he was their player anyway after so long away. The midfield terrier is not up to standard at St James’ Park and with the likes of Sean Longstaff dazzling his way into the hearts of the Newcastle faithful, he is absolutely right to give up any hope of forging a career whether Rafael Benitez remains or not. Simply put, he seems to have found his level in the Championship and fair play to him for dropping down a league to play on a regular basis. His performances at Forest should have done his hopes of sealing a move away from Newcastle this summer – hopefully on a permanent basis – no harm whatsoever and while he might be keen on a return to the City Ground he could have much more interesting – and ambitious – offers coming his way.