Jack Colback speaks out about row with Rafa Benitez & reveals future plans at NUFC
Jack Colback has admitted his rift with Rafa Benitez came 'out of the blue', saying he got on well with the Spaniard but had to 'take it on the chin' when he was suddenly excluded from his plans.
As you may remember, the 29-year-old was forced to train with the reserves and infamously failed to even make the club's squad photo a few season's back.
He had a successful loan spell with Nottingham Forest last season, however he's now very keen to resurrect his career on Tyneside after being given a surprise second chance - not that this is news us NUFC fans wanted to here this summer!
Firstly, here's what he's had to say about his relationship with Rafa Benitez:
“It was out of the blue, really.
“That was what was surprising.
“I got on fine with Rafa when he was here and played games with him.
“It was just out of the blue, which was the only strange thing I felt.
“Again, that’s football.
“I’m big enough to take it on the chin.
“There are a lot better players than me left out of squads.
“I went to Forest and really enjoyed my time there.
It seems a little bizarre that Benitez would treat him in such a way if nothing really happened. Or, maybe Colback is skipping over a key event that saw them fall out.
He then discussed his future at the club following Bruce's arrival, claiming he now has 'half a chance' to reignite his career at the club:
“Now maybe I’ve got half a chance back here, so we’ll see what happens.”
"It’s a bit unexpected, but that’s football sometimes,"
"Obviously, I knew I had a year left, but I wasn’t expecting to come back and be involved.
"Things can change. All I’ve got to do is apply myself and work hard for the team when selected. If I’ve got a realistic chance to play, then of course.
"I loved my time here when I was playing. It’s a great place to play, St James’."
Considering we have Longstaff, Shelvey, Hayden, Ki and Saivet on our books, I'd personally prefer to see us cash in on Colback while we can (he'll be a free next year).
That said, with Diame gone, Longstaff linked with Man Utd and Hayden still wanting out for personal reasons, I can see him sticking around for another year yet - especially when he's earning an alleged £45,000 per week!
