Could Newcastle United’s Mikel Merino blow be the opportunity Jack Colback needs?

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Jack Colback hasn’t played a game for Newcastle United all season – but may never have a better chance to save his career under Rafa Benitez.

Newcastle United could hardly be going into the international break in worse spirits.

A stoppage time Steve Cook winner for Bournemouth at St James’ Park on Saturday ensures that The Magpies have won just one of their last six Premier League games.

And to compound the frustration on Tyneside, Rafa Benitez’s out-of-form side will now have to contend without arguably their most impressive performer in 2017/18.

The Shields Gazette is reporting that Mikel Merino could be out for up to two months with a back problem. Newcastle missed the Spaniard’s class in the centre of the park during defeats to Burnley and Bournemouth and his absence now leaves a gaping hole in Benitez’s squad – they have won just one of six games in which Merino hasn’t started.

If there was ever a time for Jack Colback to revive his Newcastle career, then, it may have arrived. The local midfielder has not featured at all for The Magpies this season after falling out of favour with Benitez.

Colback is understood to have been told he could leave Newcastle in the summer and then was forced to train with the reserves after refusing to take part in a practice match, as reported by The Mail.

And Benitez even went as far as to say earlier this week that he’d rather field centre-back Chancel Mbemba in midfield rather than given Colback another chance.

The Spaniard’s stubbornness could be tested, however, with Newcastle’s options likely to be stretched for between six to eight weeks. With Merino out, Benitez has only Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and the out-of-favour Mo Diame to choose from.

Though if Colback is still not handed a reprieve, it will be brutally clear that his career as a Newcastle player is over.