Colback’s days look numbered

NEWCASTLE boss Rafa Benitez has made it clear that Jack Colback has no future at the club.

Benitez even says he would use out-of-favour defender Chancel Mbemba in emergencies rather than the the £40,000-a-week anchorman. Midfielder Mikel Merino has been sidelined with a back injury recently raising the question of Colback’s return, but Benitez says no chance.

Sportsmail revealed in August that Colback had refused to join in a practice match having been told by Benitez he could leave. He was then told to train with the Under 23s. Benitez said: ‘He knew from the beginning that we have four or five midfielders and I didn’t want to have six.’

Meanwhile, Benitez has hit back at critics who have labelled his side boring. Newcastle were condemned in the wake of Monday’s 1-0 loss at Burnley, their third away defeat by the same scoreline this season.

But with Newcastle ninth in the table, Benitez believes his tactics are justified.

‘I do not think we are a boring team and I don’t pay too much attention to those who say we are,’ he said ahead of today’s visit of Bournemouth.