Jonjo Shelvey could return to Newcastle United’s starting line-up this weekend if he impresses in training for the rest of the week, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claims that with Sean Longstaff suspended, Steve Brue is toying with the idea of handing Shelvey, 27, his first Premier League start in over a month when the Magpies face West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.
It is understood that Dwight Gayle might also be considered for a starting spot due to Joelinton’s poor form and the fact that the 23-year-old is struggling to adapt to life in the North-East.
OPINION
Shelvey has slipped to the fringes of the Newcastle first-team this season. He has only started four of the club’s 10 Premier League matches and has only been handed five minutes’ worth of game-time in the last four league fixtures. Everyone knows that Shelvey is a decent player on his day and the former Liverpool midfielder could add some much-needed creativity to the Newcastle midfield. However the issue with Shelvey is that he just does not fit into a system that is so defensive and so reliant on the midfielders sitting back and helping soak up pressure before launching counter-attacks. Longstaff has been good at that and Isaac Hayden is too, but Shelvey is definitely someone who shines when he gets to have a bit of time on the ball and play in a more advanced area. An away trip to West Ham, who will be desperate to end their winless streak this weekend, might not be the game for Shelvey to start in.
