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When Jack Colback walked back into the dressing room at the Nigel Doughty Academy, it may have been familiar territory, but there were still plenty of unfamiliar faces.

The Newcastle United midfielder was signing number 10 of a remarkable summer of business for the Reds, as Aitor Karanka goes about the task of rebuilding his City Ground squad.

But, while the team Colback will play in, when the new Championship season kicks off, is likely to be very different to the one he finished the last campaign in, on the final day at Bolton, it is not a situation the 28-year-old finds it challenging to adapt to.

Because he has been here before.

This is the second time he has found himself being among a host of new arrivals at Forest.

But this time, he senses there is a genuine "buzz" about the place, when it comes to what the season might hold.

“It was similar when I came in January, there was a queue to sign then, at the stadium,” said Colback, who was also one of 10 new additions back in the January transfer window.

“But that is football now. The manager has identified the players he wants and the board and backroom staff have backed him with that.

“With that, it has brought a lot of optimism for the season. We hope it can be a really positive one.”

(Image: Dan Westwell)

One of the main reasons Colback wanted to return to Forest was the sense of ambition at the club.

Karanka’s goal all summer has been to build a squad that is at least capable of challenging for a top six finish – and that is a project Colback wanted to be a part of.

“I am really happy to be back here, I am really excited and looking forward to what is in store,” he said.

“I am looking forward to what could be coming. There is a big buzz around the place. The manager has signed some very good players. The Portuguese lads look very good, Hillal Soudani also looks really sharp.

“There is a buzz around the place and we obviously need to take it game-by-game. We have not been granted promotion just by the signings we have made.

“We know it is going to be a tough, long season and we have to take it one game at a time.”

(Image: Nottingham Forest FC)

Colback got his first runout of the summer in the 1-0 win over Scunthorpe United, replacing goal scorer Ryan Yates at half-time.

But, while he has found himself very much out of the picture still, in recent weeks at Newcastle, the midfielder still feels as though he is in decent shape, fitness wise, for the challenges ahead.

And the chance to get 45 minutes under his belt against the Iron was a good starting point, when it comes to honing that all-important match sharpness.

“It is not the same level, probably not the same intensity as you would get in a proper game. That is just natural in a friendly,” said Colback.

“But I thought we controlled the game without pushing too hard. We probably could have got a few more goals, but it is more about fitness and players getting to know each other.

“It was obviously a nice little run out. It is the first one I have had in pre-season so far. It was just a case of blowing the cobwebs out a little bit.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

“I felt good. It was a decent team performance, I think.

“I came back later than the lads, but I have kept myself in a decent shape. I kept on top of things over the summer, knowing that the situation would probably be the same for me at Newcastle.

“I had to keep a decent level, so I do feel ready.”