Newcastle United are expected to hold talks with Championship side Nottingham Forest over midfielder Jack Colback on Thursday, according to The Northern Echo.
The newspaper claims that Martin O’Neill had wanted to bring the 29-year-old back to The City Ground for a third time, but his dismissal confused things. Now, though, it’s understood new boss Sabri Lamouchi also fancies the Englishman.
Talks will therefore be held on transfer deadline day, while winger Jacob Murphy could also leave on loan, with Sheffield Wednesday his most likely destination.
However, the odds are that free agent Andy Carroll won’t join the club. If striker Dwight Gayle leaves the Magpies then perhaps, but that isn’t expected to happen.
OPINION
It’s a surprise that we’ve got to deadline day and Colback is still a Newcastle player. It was thought that he didn’t have any future under old boss Rafael Benitez and the likelihood is that the Spaniard would have pushed for a permanent exit for him had he stayed this summer. However, the confusion over his future and Steve Bruce’s subsequent instalment as his replacement has confused things somewhat. It now appears, though, that the veteran midfielder will be heading back to the Reds for a third loan spell. That’s not ideal for Newcastle, but it’s better they get him off the books whatever way they can, because it’s unlikely he’s going to play much football at St James’ Park this season. As for Carroll, that always seemed to be a long shot. It would have been a romantic return, but ultimately a needless one, so the club have made the right decision here.
