The midfielder was used almost exclusively as a substitute in the final weeks of last season.
Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has told the Chronicle of how much it hurt him to be dropped by Rafael Benitez in the final weeks of last season.
Shelvey had been a regular for the Magpies under Benitez’s predecessor Steve McClaren after being signed from Swansea City for £12 million in January, and was even named captain after Fabricio Coloccini’s injury.
However, the former Liverpool midfielder was dropped by Benitez in early April as the Spaniard looked to shake up his side, and Shelvey made just four substitute appearances in the final five weeks of the season.
Benitez praised the 24-year-old for his attitude towards the situation, as the England man got his head down and worked on impressing the 56-year-old rather than throwing his toys out of the pram.
Though Shelvey appeared calm and unconcerned on the outside, the midfielder has admitted that it hurt him a great deal to be dropped, and has set his sights on reclaiming his starting spot for the Tyneside club in the Championship.
Shelvey told the Chronicle: “I want to play as much as possible, I want to be a regular starter. It hurt me last year. I didn’t show it, I was very professional and took it on the chin.
“There will be times when you aren’t playing. Hopefully I can start this season and we can get back up to the Premier League.”
Shelvey has made just 15 appearances for Newcastle since his move to the club and is a player who often divides opinion amongst supporters, but he will have his eyes on playing a key role for the Magpies this season.
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