JACK Colback would recommend a loan move to the Championship for any young fringe Premier League player.

Elvin King

JACK Colback would recommend a loan move to the Championship for any young fringe Premier League player.

The midfielder is on loan at Ipswich Town from Sunderland until January, and is set to return to the north east tomorrow with Roy Keane's side flying to their Saturday league game at Middlesbrough.

The 19-year-old has impressed since his arrival at Portman Road, and is sure his time at Ipswich will be well spent - and further his career.

“My advice to any player in my position is to seriously consider loan offers that might come along,” said Colback, who was the subject of interest from Middlesbrough as a schoolboy.

“I don't see it as a move down from the Premier League to the Championship.

“The standard is high and I had no hesitation in taking up the offer from Ipswich when it came.

“In fact, I was on my way and a five-hour journey south the next day. And it has proved just as rewarding as I imagined.”

Colback, who captained Sunderland reserves last season and also their FA Youth Cup semi-final side a couple of years ago, trained with Middlesbrough as a nine-year-old.

He was a Newcastle fan and also trained with the St James' Park outfit.

“But Sunderland felt right straight away,” he added. “It was an hour's drive to Middlesbrough and when they asked me to join them as a schoolboy I was having fun with my local junior side and did not take it.

“Along with my father I felt that Sunderland was best for me and so it proved.

“If I am selected on Saturday at Middlesbrough it will be just like any other game for me as it is a long while since I had any connections with them.”

Having Keane as his manager has proved a bonus for Colback, who has played for England at Under-20 level and hopes his stay at Portman Road will improve his chances of an Under-21 call-up.

“I worked with the gaffer at Sunderland and knew what he is like,” said Colback, who has named Manchester United's Paul Scholes as his favourite player.

“It is an honour to play for him again and I feel we can still get Ipswich into the play-offs and hopefully promotion this season.

“It is early days but if I was asked to stay on longer after my current loan deal runs out and continue to work with Mr Keane I would seriously consider it.

“The two players he has brought in from Sunderland - Carlos Edwards and Grant Leadbitter - are both very good players and they have a lot of ability and a deal of experience at this level.

“Having orange hair similar to Scholesy is an obvious link and if I turn out to be half the player he is I will be happy.

“I'll keep my head down and work towards that - and hopefully help Ipswich along the way.”