Miles Starforth's China tour diary: A bloody nose for Jack Colback and a black and white party

Jack Colback left Shanghai’s Hongkou Football Stadium with a bloody nose tonight.
Miles Starforth in China.Miles Starforth in China.
Miles Starforth in China.

The midfielder took a whack across the face in Newcastle United’s 1-0 win over West Ham United. He had to have his nose straightened up before he left the dressing room.

Colback could laugh about it as he passed through the post-game mixed zone. The 29-year-old is just happy to be back playing for the club in the heat of the Far East after two years in the cold at Newcastle.

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The 29-year-old – who has one year left on his United contract – long ago thought he had played his last game for the club. He was told to find a new club by Rafa Benitez two years ago, and spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Jack Colback challenges West Ham's Declan Rice.Jack Colback challenges West Ham's Declan Rice.
Jack Colback challenges West Ham's Declan Rice.

And Colback’s performance will have impressed Bruce, who once managed him at Sunderland. The Killingworth-born player didn’t shirk a tackle in 32-degree heat at the stadium, and he could yet play his way into Bruce’s plans at St James’s Park.

Black and white

One small corner of Shanghai was black and white last night.

Around 70 Newcastle United fans had a party in at a bar in the sprawling city ahead of today’s Premier League Asia Trophy game against West Ham United.

Newcastle fans party in Shanghai.Newcastle fans party in Shanghai.
Newcastle fans party in Shanghai.
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The “Toon Army Party”, organised by Shanghai-based fans, went on until the early hours. Travelling fans from Tyneside, Far East-based ex-pats and Chinese supporters happily mingled in the BnC Bar, which shows the club’s Premier League games.

And the dress code? Black and white, of course.