Jonjo Shelvey could earn his first start of 2019 in Newcastle United’s clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday, according to BBC Sport.
The broadcaster claims that Isaac Hayden faces a late fitness test before the bottom-half Premier League showdown at St James’ Park, and either Shelvey, 27, or Ki Sung-Yueng could step in to replace him.
Shelvey has been on the fringes of Rafa Benitez’s first team for most of this season.
He has not started a game in all competitions for the Magpies since the 1-0 win against Watford on November 3.
OPINION
It is about time that Shelvey gets back into Newcastle’s starting line-up. Sean Longstaff appeared to have replaced him in Benitez’s first team plans, but even though the exciting youngster is now injured, Shelvey has still struggled to play. Injuries have not helped the former Swansea and Liverpool centre-midfielder, but even now he is fit, he is still not getting enough game-time. There has been speculation about Shelvey’s future at St James’ Park, and maybe there has already been a decision made to cash in on the 27-year-old in the summer. If that’s the case then isn’t it best to show that he’s a good player and a key part of the side to bump up his transfer value before the transfer window opens? Shelvey is arguably one of the Magpies’ most valuable assets and every game he sits on the bench, the fee that the club can demand for him drops. Defeat to Arsenal on Monday shows that Shelvey should come back into the side to liven things up a bit in the midfield.
