Jack Colback has admitted he could stay at Nottingham Forest if they earn promotion to the Premier League. The midfielder has been a key player under Aitor Karanka since his season-long loan move from Newcastle United, and there has been talk of turning the deal permanent given his fine form and apparent happiness at the City Ground.
Colback has made 14 appearances in the Championship this season, the most recent of which was against Stoke City over the weekend. He helped his side pick up their fourth clean sheet in six games on Saturday, as Forest ended Gameweek 17 in seventh place in the table with 27 points from 17 outings.
It’s been 10 months since Colback was last at Newcastle, having spent the second-half of last season on loan with Forest and all of the current campaign. The 29-year-old has made a total of 29 appearances in all competitions for The Reds and admitted that he would consider making the permanent switch if Forest were in the top-flight.
When asked if he sees his long-term future at the City, Colback said to Nottingham Live: “It just depends. That is something that can quickly be taken out of your hands. It is one of those things – football can change quickly. We will see what happens.
“But my aim is to win promotion and yes, I would love to play here in the Premier League. I would be happy if it did turn out that way; if I did end up playing in the Premier League with Forest. My situation at Newcastle looks pretty bleak, with Rafa. That is one of those things.
“I am not too fussed about that, but it was disappointing with the way it ended, with Newcastle being my home town club. But that is football. Obviously the aim is to get Forest promoted. Then we will see.
“If the (Newcastle) manager comes calling and wants to take me back there, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. But we are a long way off that just yet. We will keep calm for now.”
Colback is a regular at the heart of the Forest midfield but would surely be on the periphery at Newcastle if he returned. There’s a chance his loan spell at the City Ground could lead to a successful return to St James’ Park, however, and it appears Colback wants to keep that option somewhat open, but the fact Newcastle haven’t given him an appearance since 2016/17 is telling.
