Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill has admitted he will take a look at the agreement struck with Newcastle United for the loan services of midfielder Jack Colback before making a decision on his future.
Having come in over the summer, the 29-year-old knows he has no future under current gaffer Rafa Benitez but given all the speculation about his own future, it seems O’Neill acknowledges that Colback may want to try his chances under a new gaffer – should that happen – and it might rule out the permanent deal we have on the loan.
The alternative is, with Colback out of contract come the summer, it may well be more sensible for us to not use the buy clause and instead move for a free agent deal given how he’s been largely impressive in his 29 games so far this campaign.
Speaking to the Nottingham Post about such future decisions, clearly O’Neill is looking for time to continue to assess the group before he makes any concrete decisions and with time on our side in many ways, that’s probably no bad thing.
“In terms of long-term future, it is really early for me to be deciding these things. I am not exactly sure, to the nth degree, what the agreement is with Newcastle. I will certainly have a look at that. I think your opinion that he has been one of the better players this season is pretty well the same thought around the dressing room as well. I have not got into the contractual details of his situation, but I will look at this situation in the near future.”
Whilst Colback is maybe more front and centre when it comes to the decisions, there are others to be made as even though the gaffer will be looking at the Play-Off spots this year, he’ll already be making plans about what he wants his group to look like next term as it’s obvious improvements can be made.
As a potential indication on which way he may be leaning, O’Neill also commented the armband was a reward for his efforts but also an attempt to curb his desire for yellow cards given the added responsibility.
