OPINION
Mike Ashley doesn’t seem like the type of owner to keep track of Newcastle players that have been loaned out but even he may be wincing once Jack Colback’s disciplinary record is brought to his attention.
The 29-year-old midfield enforcer has revived his career at Nottingham Forest this season after been frozen out of Rafa Benitez’s side, and will clearly have suitors keen to permanently sign him.
This is good news for the Magpies, Ashley and even Benitez as The People’s print edition (page 48, Sunday March 24th) previously reported the Spanish manager wanted him off the books.
Colback has wowed in a lot of the 34 outings he has made for Forest this season, but there is a catch.
The experienced midfielder picked up his 14th yellow card of the season against Swansea City on Saturday and as the Nottingham Post states one more booking could see him miss three of Forest’s last seven matches.
Colback’s yellow card against Swans was the third game in a row in which he had been book and the player’s disciplinary record will surely have Ashley wincing for one reason as he could potential affect his value and the chances of getting rid of him.
The midfielder already served on suspension for Forest earlier this season after reaching 10 yellows cards, and potential suitors will either be completely put off by his tendency to get yellow cards or will at least what his price to reflect he is often in the referee’s book.
Also given Colback’s current track record it would be no surprise if he picks up another yellow card in his next fixture and him missing several games for Forest will take him out of the shop window.
Ashley will be eager for the midfielder to play as many times as possible, in order to attract teams and drive his value up.
