Journalist Liam Kennedy expects Jack Colback to remain at Newcastle United during the last year of his contract.
The Shields Gazette writer revealed that he believes the 29-year-old will stay with the Magpies after impressing during pre-season.
Colback has featured heavily during Newcastle’s pre-season, especially in the Premier League Asia Trophy during the club’s trip to China.
The holding midfielder has endured a tough couple of seasons at St James’ Park and was sent out on-loan to Championship side Nottingham Forest after failing to impress former manager Rafael Benitez.
Colback has featured 178 times in the Premier League and has extensive top-flight experience from throughout his career.
OPINION
This was probably the news that most Newcastle fans didn’t want to read before their season opener against Arsenal in less than two weeks. Colback was forced out by Benitez for a reason after not impressing, and Bruce may be more lenient in his assessment of the midfield enforcer. The 29-year-old proved he is a Championship level during last season and became known for picking up suspensions frequently at the City Ground. His experience in the top-flight will only help him if he is to be given a chance, but Bruce must be careful with who he integrates into his squad. Colback averaged 3.2 tackles per game last season but added two fouls in each outing – proving that he is dribbled past far too often in the heart of midfield [Source: WhoScored] – a bad habit which leads to his constant yellow cards. Should the midfielder continue with that vein of form in the top-flight, Newcastle could be punished more often, with Premier League sides clearly having a bigger threat in the final third.
