WHEN Jack Colback walks out alongside Sunderland’s players at St James’ Park tomorrow afternoon wearing the black and white of Newcastle United, he will have had a few friendly jibes in his ears from former team-mates.

It was just ten months ago that Colback rounded off the Black Cats’ third consecutive win over the Magpies with the third and final goal of a 3-0 victory before turning away with his finger to his lips as a celebration.

But interest from the club he supported as a boy led to him agreeing to the controversial switch to Tyneside from Wearside which infuriated Sunderland, where he had developed through the academy system for more than a decade.

The frustration has eased in the months which have gone by, but the disappointment will always remain because Sunderland have always insisted they were prepared to give the player the new contract he sought.

In the end, though, Colback completed the move and tomorrow he will face his old club for the first time. Regardless of the reception he receives from Sunderland fans, Adam Johnson thinks the midfielder will not be affected by whatever is said to him.

“I don’t think Jack will be too bothered,” said Johnson. “He knew what was coming up when he moved and personally I think he is very good player and was a big loss to us. We will have to move on and I don’t think he will be too worried by a few boos.

“I wouldn’t say he was open about it (who he supported) but I think everyone knew and when you know where he is from it is a bit of a giveaway. It wasn’t too hard to realise where he was from, but when you go on the pitch for a rival club you always do your best anyway.”

The Sunderland players he left behind have not gone overboard by flooding his phone with text messages during the build up to the latest Tyne-Wear derby, although there has been one or two.

And while there might be a few words said when they come face-to-face again this weekend, Johnson does not think Sunderland can afford to focus on Colback.

“It will be totally normal,” said Johnson. “It will be no different to any other game. I got on well with Jack, but once the game starts it is no different to any other match. Players get on a lot better than what you think when they are off the pitch. Players know each other pretty well.”

Johnson, who was rejected as a youngster by Newcastle for being too small before heading for Middlesbrough, has been back in the starting line-up in the last two games for Sunderland.

He is likely to retain his place against Newcastle and he would love to score for the third time in a row at St James’ Park and record a further win. Johnson is only being used as a winger as things stand, but he would be open to the idea of playing the supporting role behind the striker.

Such a move in position has helped his former Boro team-mate Stewart Downing this season at West Ham, which has also led to the Teessider forcing his way back in to the England set-up.

Johnson said: “The manager wants me to try to come inside and get more involved and I like doing that, I always have done. You are a lot more involved in the game. You have got to play wherever you are told haven’t you.

“Stewy got a lot of stick a while back when he left Liverpool and went there. He got stick back but he has always been a top player and has shown that form is temporary, class is permanent and everyone knows he has class.

“I think being in the centre has suited him more. He gets on the ball more and that’s what he is good at, having the ball at his feet. He probably does less defending playing in front of the midfield. If I was asked to play there, I’d give it a go too.”