Colback ‘not shown respect by manager’

JACK Colback has taken a swipe at Rafa Benitez, claiming the Newcastle United manager showed him a “lack of respect” and accusing the Spaniard of treating him “like a number, more than a human being.”

The 28-year-old (pictured below) was banished to train with the under-23s at the Academy last summer, despite being named in United’s 25-man squad for the Premier League, after being told he was surplus to requirements.

Yet, even though Colback was unable to secure a move away from Tyneside last summer, he was not reintegrated back into the firstteam set-up and failed to make a single appearance for the Magpies this term, merely featuring a few times for the under-23s instead.

Benitez himself believes Colback turned down the chance to leave the club at the start of the season when offers came his way.

However, the ex-Sunderland man was settled in the North East and seemingly did not want to depart unless the right opportunity came his way.

On Wednesday, the midfielder finally landed a half-season loan move to Championship club Nottingham Forest, where he has joined former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.

After making his debut for Forest against Fulham at Craven Cottage, Colback explained how “difficult” the past six months have been for him - and questioned his treatment by Benitez.

He said: “I think there are ways things can be managed and to be honest there has been no respect whatsoever shown my way, but that is the game I suppose.

“I have had to keep my head down, I have had to work hard for myself.

“I have done that and I am thankful the manager here at Forest has given me the chance.

“I am not sure why I was not given respect but I am not the one who should be answering that you will have to ask the boss back home.

“It is one of those things. I am big enough not to be too upset about it, I have been in the game a long time and seen a lot of things.

“I think the disappointing thing is the way it has been dealt with. I have been treated like a number more than a human being.

“There is nothing I can do about that now, though - he made his choice and I am not really looking back at that one.”