According to a report in the print edition of the Daily Mirror (reported via The Express), a duo of Championship clubs are chasing Newcastle United outcast Jack Colback.

Jack Colback has been frozen out at Newcastle this summer and he is now attracting interest from Leeds United and Birmingham City ahead of the re-opening of the transfer window in the new year.

The 28-year-old has not featured for Newcastle's first team at all this season and has only played reserve team football.

He is clearly out of favour under Rafa Benitez and this has alerted Leeds and Birmingham.

Both of the Sky Bet Championship squads have been scouting Colback in action for the under-23 side and could make a swoop in January.

Colback had attracted attention from the second tier during the summer, rejecting the advances of Hull City and Wolverhampton Wanderers despite being told to find a new club by Newcastle.

With eighteen months left on his current deal and a reported £40,000 per week pay packet, it might take a sum of money to prise Colback away from St James' Park this summer.

But with his future at Newcastle looking non-existent, the former Sunderland man might be tempted to force a move away.

The Verdict

Leeds United currently have Ronaldo Vieira, Kalvin Phillips, Vurnon Anita and Eunan O'Kane in the central midfield position and I do not believe that Colback would be an upgrade on these options.

Rather than waste £40k per week on his wages, Leeds would be better off introducing Mateusz Klich into the action.

Birmingham, on the other hand, need fresh additions to lift them away from the drop zone and Colback could be a good addition for them, if they can compromise on the wages.

Leeds and Birmingham fans - Would you like to sign Colback? Let us know below...