Rafa Benitez recalled Colback in place of Newcastle United teammate Jonjo Shelvey as the Magpies suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at St. James' Park.
And, once again, the 'Ginger Mackem' looked like a headless chicken!
He runs about with no purpose; ambition; or motive ... just round and round in circles looking like the little 'lost soldier' that he is.
United suffered their fourth home league defeat of the season as sixth-place Sheffield Wednesday came away from St James' Park with a 1-0 win on Boxing Day.
Dwight Gayle struck the crossbar via the fingertips of Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood early on, but the Owls settled well and spurned numerous chances of their own before and after half-time.
In the 53rd minute, Carlos Carvalhal's side finally found a way beyond the impressive Kark Darlow in the Magpies' goal, courtesy of Glenn Loovens' first goal for the club.
Despite a sustained period of pressure late on there was no way back for Newcastle, who will drop to second if Brighton beat QPR on Tuesday.
Without the suspended Jonjo Shelvey, it was always going to be tougher for Rafa Benitez's side. However, in Jack Colback, who was named in an England international squad little over two years ago, Newcastle, in theory, had an adequate replacement - even if he had just spent the past six matches on the sidelines.
How did the former Sunderland man get on? Here is what the Newcastle United fans thought of his performance...
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Colin Beveridge @CbeveridColin
Have seen some woeful midfield performances in my time but Jack Colback tonight must be up there #NUFC
9:37 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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Simon Welton @Manofminitalent
Sloppy. Poor. Colback. #nufc
9:42 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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John Dixon @DickoNortheast
Colback in midfield WILL NOT get us promotion or goals for that matter #nufc
9:43 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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Kris Hendry 🎄🎅🏻☃️ @geordiekris83
Omg what a load of crap tonight, Colback IS NOT the answer to the Shelvey problem. #NUFC
9:44 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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🔷◾️Ryan◾️🔷 @RyanIcardi99
Can't have Colback play another min in that midfield,utter garbage #NUFC
9:44 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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Chris Thirlaway @ChrisThirlaway
Jack Colback is an #NUFC player...
9:48 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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JASE........ @lozjackjenna
God awful situation when we fall apart because of 1 player out. Call me negative all u want but we can't have Colback anywhere near us #nufc
9:49 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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Kris. @hoothoot81
Yeah it was only Colback's first game back for a while but Jesus Christ he offers us Nothing! Creative midfielder desperately needed #NUFC
9:50 PM - 26 Dec 2016 · North East, England
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Michael Sidgwick @MSidgwick
Colback takes three touches to play a hospital ball. Scary times. #NUFC
9:53 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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Swin @Sam_Swinhoe
The only time I've seen jack colback have a good game at SJP is in an #safc shirt #nufc
10:16 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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NUFCTactics @nufctactics
Colback's ineptitude is staggering at times. Any characterisations of him as a 'industrious midfielder' have been thoroughly debunked. #nufc
10:57 PM - 26 Dec 2016
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