Rafa Benitez has made it clear that Jack Colback is not close to returning to the first team with Newcastle United - despite a back injury to Mikel Merino.
The former Sunderland and Ipswich Town man was relegated to the reserves after failing to agree a summer move to either Hull City or Wolverhampton Wanderers.
And Benitez has suggested that’s where he will stay as he looks to maintain a close-knit squad at the first team end of the club’s Benton base.
Benitez was asked about Colback’s situation today after news of Merino’s absence through a back injury was confirmed.
He said: “He is training with the U23s at the Academy.
“He knows the situation and I only concentrate on players I actually have.
“Without Merino, we can play Mo Diame, Jonjo Shelvey , Isaac Hayden and Henri Saivet.
“We can also play Chancel Mbemba there.
Most Read
“Jack knows the situation”
Merino has now been withdrawn from Spain Under-21s for the international break and will miss the game with AFC Bournemouth.
He said: “Mikel Merino will be out for at least a couple of weeks, we still need to wait to see.
“The problem is his lower back.
“He felt it against Liverpool originally.”