Jack Colback didn’t return to Nottingham Forest over the summer, for a variety of reasons, but could he be back on the Reds’ radar?
Or more to the point, should he be?
The possibility of bringing the combative midfielder back for a third spell was ruled out in the last transfer window.
That picture may have shifted considerably by the time the next one swings open.
Colback shunned a switch a few months back in favour of starting afresh at Newcastle.
The arrival of Steve Bruce as successor to Rafa Benitez presented a clean slate to those at St James’ Park.
Having been ostracised by one boss, Colback hoped for a change of fortune under another.
He hasn’t got one.
Bruce took the decision to leave the 30-year-old out of his Premier League squad.
As a result, Colback has not seen a single minute of competitive football in 2019-20.
Terminate
Which makes the latest reports surrounding his future no real surprise.
According to The Telegraph, Colback is now very much surplus to requirements on Tyneside.
To the point that his deal may be ripped up.
The Telegraph report states of Bruce’s January plans: “He needs to move players out before he can bring any in, with midfielders Henri Saivet and Jack Colback earning more than £40,000-a-week, but unable to play as they were not named in the 25-man Premier League squad.
“There is even a chance the club could terminate their contracts early in a private financial settlement to make some room, although this is a difficult route to go down.”
Tricky, yes, but not impossible.
It should already be abundantly clear to Colback that he is not going to get a look in.
And he is due to hit free agency at the end of the season anyway.
Why wait?
If there is an exit to be negotiated by mutual consent, then said talks make an awful lot of sense.
Sever ties with Newcastle and go in search of game time elsewhere.
Admirers
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Colback is at a stage of his career where he should be playing every week.
Could his career path lead him back to the City Ground? Is he needed?
He certainly won plenty of admirers across two previous loan spells.
Forest are currently well stocked in the middle of the park, but a familiar face could be most welcome.
Especially with no fee involved and only wages to take into account.
We are still dealing with sizeable figures there admittedly, but a compromise could probably be reached.
Colback could slot back into surroundings he knows well, while Sabri Lamouchi would be gaining another trusted performer.
There would be a little rust to shake, but no adjustment period required.
Once up to full speed, Colback could be a useful option.
A deal which appeared to be off the table for good may suddenly be back on it, but a lot has happened since the heady days of summer and all of those concerned may now be moving in different directions.
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