He is a relatively young midfielder at 24, who is comfortable on the ball, versatile, English and available on a free transfer. What’s not to like?
Yet the imminent confirmation of his arrival from Sunderland has been met, predictably, with a mixed response.
This was to be expected, as anyone crossing the Tyne-Wear divide these days is going to be scrutinised, to say the least.
Colback’s actions in the last Tyne-Wear derby, when he scored Sunderland’s third in a 3-0 win, won’t have helped his cause among many Newcastle fans.
He held a finger to his lips in a ‘shush’ gesture towards the Gallowgate End, while afterwards he was pictured on the Sunderland team bus gesturing the 0-3 scoreline with his fingers.
A year earlier, in another 3-0 win for the Black Cats on Tyneside, Colback had cupped his ears to the Newcastle fans.
Yet, in a team of half-hearted foreign players, some of who who couldn't give a flying f*** ... he will give us everything.