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Jack Colback will be offered out again to clubs in January as Newcastle United look to reshape their squad.

Leeds United and Birmingham City scouts were in the stands as Colback played 90 minutes for Newcastle United’s second string against Reading this week in a 4-1 win at Whitley Park.

The Magpies will attempt to off-load Colback again when the January window opens as Rafa Benitez tries to create squad space and slash the club’s wage bill.

Colback is currently costing United £40,000 per week - a pay packet more than a host of first-team squad members - despite being told he was free to leave in August.

However, even though he was offered the chance to join Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City on loan back in August, Colback stated he wanted to stay for geographical reasons.

(Image: Newcastle United)

Since then Benitez has made his feelings crystal clear on Colback and stated that the midfielder is not in his plans and must continue to train with the club’s youth players at the Academy.

Benitez said recently: “He knew from the beginning that we have four or five midfielders and I didn’t want to have six.

“We could not manage to move any more players out at the end of the transfer window and you can’t train as well with as many players around in the same position.

“I did not want that.

“We have enough players in that position without Merino - Diame, Shelvey, Hayden and Saivet, even Mbemba who can also play in midfield.

“He played there in the Africa Cup of Nations.”