Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback hasn't been spoken to by his club after the Premier League's decision to grant players who are out of contract the chance to secure a temporary extension to their deals.
That's according to the Sunderland Echo, who say that Colback is in Newcastle preparing for the possible return to training ahead of the resumption of the Premier League.
The coronavirus pandemic has halted the season with no football played since early March and the top flight have moved to allow clubs and players to negotiate extensions past the June 30 cut-off point with competition not expected to return for another month.
Colback, who hasn't played a single minute for the Magpies this season despite travelling from Nottingham to Newcastle daily to train, was a big hit with Forest during his 18 months on loan at the City Ground.
Aitor Karanka convinced him to make the move to Trentside in January 2018 and Colback signed up for another season under the Spaniard the following summer.
However, following the departure of Karanka, subsequent arrival of Martin O'Neill and sacking of the Northern Irishman, current boss Sabri Lamouchi opted not to sign Colback on a permanent deal.
The Echo say that Colback's future at the club might hinge on the next steps of the £300m takeover by a consortium backed by Saudi Arabia's public investment fund and whether current boss Steve Bruce is removed from his post as a result.
Colback established himself as a firm favourite at the City Ground during his time with Forest and some fans have expressed their wish for the club to sign him up on a free transfer when he becomes available.
The central midfielder made 55 appearances for the Reds over the 18 months he was at the club.
He has also turned out for Newcastle's bitter rivals, Sunderland, whose youth academy he came through.
Colback's last game for Newcastle was just over three years ago in a 3-0 win at home to Barnsley.
