Jack Colback admits he was surprised about his spat with former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez.
The midfielder was frozen out by Benitez and eventually joined Nottingham Forest on loan.
Now back on Tyneside, the 29-year-old spoke of his relationship with the former Toon boss.
Colback said: "It was out of the blue, really. That was what was surprising.
"I got on fine with Rafa when he was here and played games with him.
"It was just out of the blue, which was the only strange thing I felt.
"Again, that's football. I'm big enough to take it on the chin.
"There are a lot better players than me left out of squads.
"I went to Forest and really enjoyed my time there.
"Now maybe I've got half a chance back here, so we'll see what happens."
