Dan Barlaser impressed in his limited appearances for Newcastle United last season and Jack Colback’s omission from the squad would give him a chance.
With Newcastle United struggling at times in Jonjo Shelvey’s absence last season – and forced to rely on young talent Dan Barlaser in January – it was clear Rafa Benitez would need to boost his midfield options this summer.
The Magpies boss did just that with the arrival of Mikel Merino, but it now appears as though the Spain U21 international is coming in to replace Jack Colback, rather than to boost numbers, as the Shields Gazette report the former Sunderland man is to be left out of Newcastle’s Premier League squad.
This comes as a slight surprise as it would again see Benitez short on options, while Colback has been involved in a 22-man squad used in recent weeks, with the injured DeAndre Yedlin to come into that group.
The numbers suggest there would be room for two more signings within Newcastle’s 25-man squad, but Colback’s apparent omission hints at a possible third recruit.
Either way, recent reports in the Chronicle claimed that goalkeepers and strikers were on Benitez’s agenda, with no mention of a new midfielder – leaving the club just one injury or suspension away from having to call up a reserve player as they did last season with Barlaser.
Indeed, options such as Barlaser, the 20-year-old central midfielder, are too young to be included in the club’s official top flight squad and so represent an easy alternative to Colback.
And the Gateshead-born youngster, who impressed in the FA Cup last season, looks as though he could be ready for the step up after an impressive pre-season.
If Benitez feels Barlaser has done enough to be involved with the first team, moving Colback on would certainly be a clever way of clearing space in the squad while keeping an understudy on call.
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