Jack Colback knows his future is anything but black and white, after accepting that his Newcastle days are over, which leaves him in something of a limbo state.
The midfielder who made the seldom-trod path from Wearside to Tyneside has made it known that he would be open to extending his loan stay at Nottingham Forest into a permanent one, but knows that it may be out of his hands, with the player — contrary to popular belief — having a year left on his Newcastle contract.
He told the Nottingham Post: “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.
“We will see what happens in the summer.”
He went on to state that he would like to sign a deal at Forest, but that it was “not as straightforward as a yes or no”.
“If you ask me if I would like to come back and sign permanently, the answer is yes, [but] 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.
“It is not as straightforward as a yes or no. But I have enjoyed my time here and, if the opportunity arose, it is one I would view positively, with good thought.
“I know the club, because I have been there a little while. I know the players, I have enjoyed my time here and my family are happy, so let’s see what happens.”
There are not many Magpies fans who would be sad to see him go, with any player who has an alleged bust-up with Rafa, never likely to be sided with by the fans.
Colback was never truly embraced into the fold by the Newcastle public, except when it was used as an ideal opportunity to rub it into their Wearside neighbours.
The simple fact is that he was just not good enough.
The best thing for all parties, we think, would be for Newcastle to simply tear up the remainder of his contract at the end of the season, and let him have his move.
Any potential fee would be nominal, at best, and the likely scenario of him training with the reserves while picking up his significant salary, would benefit no one.
What are your thoughts Newcastle fans? Were you a Colback fan? Would you let him go for nothing? Give us your thoughts below…
