Colback and Sterry told to find new clubs

NEWCASTLE United duo Jamie Sterry and Jack Colback are effectively free to look for their next clubs.

It is believed that back-up squad members Sterry and Colback have not trained since United returned to Benton.

With the Premier League set to expand squads for sides for the remainder of the season both could have been thrown a lifeline at Newcastle after being left without squad numbers.

Yet both players were told not to attend training, with United also possibly keen to manage numbers of Covid-19 tests with three per player needed at the moment, suggesting their contributions at the club are over.

Colback’s situation will pique the interest of Nottingham Forest with the midfielder commuting from the city this season while Sterry has interested Luton Town and Ipswich Town.

While former Sunderland man Colback’s time on Tyneside started well – with the 30-year-old earning an England call-up in 2014 – his relationship with his hometown club has went downhill in recent years.

Colback played at least 30 times in each of his first three seasons at St James’ Park, with both Alan Pardew and Steve McClaren put their faith in the combative mdfielder.

Rafa Benitez was used him regularly in the 2016-17 Championship-winning season but then left the midfielder out in the cold.

Having not played during the first half of the following season, he joined Nottingham Forest on loan, spending 18 months at the City Ground.

He failed to secure a move away earlier this season despite Steve Bruce deciding not to include him in his Premier League squad.