Nottingham Forest loanee Jack Colback scored a brace and produced another brilliant display in his temporary club’s 4-2 win against Championship leaders Leeds United on New Year’s Day, and if he continues that form then the Reds will be in danger of missing out on his signature in the summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Forest brought the 29-year-old to the City Ground on a season-long loan deal during the summer transfer window, with the club not officially saying at the time that they would be getting him on a permanent deal when the loan expired.
Things are probably made a little more complicated by the fact that the midfielder is out of contract with Newcastle United then and will be free to talk to any team about a potential move, although it might only be the east Midlands outfit if they win promotion to the Premier League.
Colback completely fell out of favour under Rafa Benitez at St James’ Park, but his displays for Forest this term suggest he can still do a job in the top flight.
How good has he been?
He has been excellent.
While the likes of Claudio Yacob and Adlene Guedioura have been in decent form themselves, it is Colback that has generally been the consistent name on the team-sheet in the middle of the park for the Championship promotion hopefuls.
The 29-year-old has become renowned with the Forest faithful for not being afraid to put his foot in and with his quality in possession, but the fact he scored a brace against Leeds has potentially added another string to his bow.
There is no doubt that if he continues the form he is in right now he could have offers from Premier League clubs at the end of the season given the experience he has and the fact that he will be available for nothing, and that could cost Aitor Karanka’s men if they fail to go up.
Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday With Max was at the East Midlands Derby in December. Check out Forest and Derby fans thoughts on their respective managers in the video below…
