Newcastle United have all but secured their Premier League status after a superb four-match winning streak saw the Magpies surpass their pre-season points target of 40, allowing the squad to cast on eye towards the summer.
Many of the Magpies squad are hoping to feature in the World Cup in Russia, although the majority of the team face a fight to establish themselves within their national side’s ranks- and, in the case of Jonjo Shelvey, a huge task is required.
However, the experienced midfielder has received the backing of Magpies team-mate Matt Ritchie, who told TalkSport he’d take the former Liverpool man with him to Russia if he was Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
“He’s the best I’ve seen [at passing the ball]. I think you saw a glimpse of it at the weekend – left foot, right foot, under pressure, not under pressure. His form has been fantastic and obviously it’s not my place to say who plays for England but for sure, if I was England manager, I would love to have him in my team.”
26-year-old Shelvey has been capped six times by his nation but has not appeared for the Three Lions since 2015.
