Jonjo Shelvey has been given further hope of an England re-call after Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate watched on from the stands at St James Park at the weekend.
Southgate was an onlooker as Rafael Benitez’s side earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace to take the Magpies to sixth in the Premier League table.
The England manager was reportedly in the stands to watch Shelvey, as well as team-mates Jamaal Lascelles and Issac Hayden.
Rafael Benitez believes Southgate’s appearance will do a world of good for the midfielder, who has not represented England since September 2015.
“I think it’s important for them the manager is here – he can see something,” said Benitez speaking in the Shield Gazette.
“Sometimes, when the team isn’t playing well, it’s hard to show what you can do. “Jonjo has the ability and the quality to see the pass and the runners.
“And if you put him with better players, he’ll be even better, because he has the quality.”
