Jack Colback has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most consistent performers this season, clocking up 38 appearances while on loan from Newcastle United, scoring three times.
Nobody in the Forest squad has passed the ball more than Colback, with the 29-year-old making an impressive 1,529 this term, 236 more than the closest challenger, Jack Robinson, nor has anyone averaged more tackles per game (3.2) - showing just how important he has been.
Should he pick up a yellow card on Good Friday in the clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Colback’s season would come to a premature end.
A yellow card in the Steel City would be his 15th in the second tier and automatically trigger a three-game ban, which would see him miss the Easter Monday visit of Middlesbrough, along with the last two outings at QPR and against Bolton.
That could prove to be the end of his Forest career, with the midfielder likely to return to St James’ Park at the end of the season to resolve his future.
It is however, an open secret that his destiny would appear to be away from Tyneside while Rafael Benitez is manager, but with one-year left on his contract and a reported £50,000 a week salary, finding a taker may be difficult.
Sheffield United prepared to 'go for the jugular' against Nottingham Forest
Given Colback’s impressive form for Forest this season, and during his half-season spell last term, there’s likely to be no shortage of interest in securing his services and the Reds may well face competition for his signature.
Reds boss Martin O’Neill has made no secret of his desire to keep Colback in Nottingham, while the player himself has admitted his young family is settled in the area, but with Forest failing in their quest for a play-off place, could he be tempted by a move to the top flight instead of another season of toil in the Championship?
“I think that I would, along with the fans, think exactly that – it would be great to see him stay, if we can muster something,” O’Neill said recently.
"I think the opinion that he has been one of the better players this season is pretty well the same thought around the dressing room as well.
"In terms of long-term future, it is really early for me to be deciding these things.
"I am not exactly sure, to the nth degree, what the agreement is with Newcastle. I will certainly have a look at that.
This is the Nottingham Forest team fans want to face Sheffield United
"I have not got into the contractual details of his situation, but I will look at this situation in the near future."
Such has been Colback's importance this season, it would be a sad end to his season if it were to end at Bramall Lane.
Should Forest make Colback one of their first summer signings, have your say below…
