Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback is set to shun any potential move away from St James’ Park, according to The Northern Echo.
Steve Bruce opted against including the 29-year-old in his first 25-man Magpies squad for the Premier League season, but Colback has no intentions of leaving the North East for a move into Europe or to a club in League One or Two, despite being left surprised by the head coach’s decision.
The transfer market for Scottish outfits also remains open heading into September, but no side north of the border are believed to be in a position where they could match, or better, Colback’s £35,000-a-week contract, which expires next summer.
Unlike Henri Saivet and Achraf Lazaar, who are expected to secure moves away before the end of the month, Colback intends to reject any potential deal, as he hopes he will be able to force his way back into Bruce’s plans over the upcoming months.
Bruce has shown a willingness to keep his outcasted players around the first-team in training for them to maintain fitness, as they could play a key role in our efforts in the Carabao Cup for rotation purposes.
If Colback is unable to regain a place in Bruce’s plans by the time the January market opens, the Killingworth-born midfielder will reconsider his future, as he would be able to negotiate pre-contracts with other clubs as soon as he enters the final six months of his current deal.
But keeping the 29-year-old on our books until the winter market opens would see United waste at least £665,000, with the figure potentially rising a further £735,000 if Colback were to see out his present terms and leave at its expiration on June 30.
While he may be keen to try his luck in regaining a place in Bruce’s plans, Newcastle chiefs need to convince Colback to leave the club this summer, at least on loan until January, otherwise they are saying goodbye to more than just his wage.