Boss Roy Keane had little argument with his squad naming loanee Jack Colback the club’s Players’ Player of the Year. However, the Town manager felt it said a lot about the season that a 20-year-old in his first season as a professional had picked up the award.

Keane said: “I wouldn’t disagree with the decision. I didn’t know who the players had voted for until the other night, but I wouldn’t disagree with them, the boy has been outstanding.

“But while it was nice for Jack, his contribution to the team has been excellent and I’m sure he enjoyed it, individual awards should mean very little to players, it’s all about the team.

“Jack has got a couple of games left, he’ll look forward to the game on Saturday, he’s a Newcastle lad, and he’ll hopefully he’ll go back and do well there.”

Keane says Colback winning illustrates the need for the recruitment of more senior players in the summer: “It’s Jack’s first year in professional football and he’s our Player of the Year, which goes to show what work we have ahead. We need experienced players to try and get us out of the league.”

While the Town manager is targeting permanent signings over the summer, he isn’t ruling out more loanees coming in next season: “It’s hard to predict what might happen next year.

“We mightn’t to be get the players we’re after, we mightn’t to be able to shift players out as we’d hope and I wouldn’t be against loan players because without the four or five loan players we’ve used this year God knows where we’d be.

“I’m certainly keeping my options open, but as I’ve said, there are four or five players I’m interested in and they would be signings for the football club, so we’re not worried about them being called back.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

FarringdonBlue added 08:18 - Apr 24 “We mightn't to be get the players we're after" scratching my head trying to work this one out!! Is it because he's irish we have to put "to be" after everything he says? Exactly - to be sure!
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BerlinBlue added 10:35 - Apr 24 colback has been an example to the other players. i wish him all the best at sunderland next season and am sure he'll make it in the premier league.
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Mark added 11:37 - Apr 24 So the success of 20-year-old Colback goes to prove that we need more experienced players? Is that not the opposite of logic? Surely it proves we need talented players with youth on their side!!
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jas0999 added 11:55 - Apr 24 Colback deserves his award. I agree though that we need a MIXTURE of young talented players and experience. I think that's the point Roy was making. Seasoned professionals who can hold the team together - a leader. We are lacking one of those.
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:58 - Apr 24 WELL DONE JC, good luck where ever , a grafter !.
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corshamblue added 22:10 - Apr 24 Massive work rate won the day, along with a heap of talent. Well done JC and good luck - one to watch for sure.
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tom_the_blue added 10:33 - Apr 25 I love you Jack! Good luck next season, hopefully you'll come back to us if you dont play much for Sunderland.
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