Sunday Sun

Colback team pic absence exposed

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RAFA Benitez has explained why Jack Colback was left out of Newcastle United’s team picture for the 2017/18 season.

The midfielder’s non-appearance in the squad’s annual photo shoot at the club’s training ground had fans talking on social media.

There had been a suggestion Colback was fighting his way back into contention after Peter Beardsley handed the former Sunderland man the captain’s armband for the reserve team’s 1-0 loss to Wolverhamp­ton Wanderers.

However, just three days later, Colback wasn’t told to report to the first team HQ for the photo shoot and left to train with the youngsters again.

When asked about the situation, Benitez said: “It’s simple. We had decided the squad before.

“He is not training with the team and we didn’t change our position on that.

“It made no sense to change things again just because we’re taking a team picture. “It has to be consistent. “We have to be consistent in terms of our ideas as profession­als and the way that we want to manage the squad.”

The midfielder was told he wasn’t part of Newcastle’s plans in the summer and offered moves to Hull City and Wolves but turned them down for geographic­al reasons.

Colback must now wait and see if he is named in the Toon squad that heads to Port Vale for the Checkatrad­e Trophy game this week.

He did not feature in the Under-23 side’s Premier League Cup defeat at Whitley Park on Friday.

During that game, a younger Newcastle side were beaten 4-3 by Burnley after throwing away a 2-0 lead. Jack Colback

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