Former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback has quickly won over the Newcastle fans and could be a key figure in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Colback felt the decision to join Newcastle was easy: “It was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip.
“If you asked fans around the world the one thing they’d like to do before they die, it would be to play for the team they support and I’ve got the chance to do that.”
Colback has impressed from the outset with manager Alan Pardew praising his “energy and power” on debut against Manchester City.
The effort that was always going to be essential to win over the Newcastle fans was never going to be a problem for Colback.
That ability to get around the pitch has helped make him one of the Premier League’s most combative midfielders – among the top six in the country when it comes to interceptions.
But Colback is more than a stopper. As exemplified by that derby goal against his current club, he brings defensive awareness coupled with a desire to join the attack.
It’s that ability to create and destroy that could make Colback such an important figure on Sunday.