The Newcastle midfielder has been left out of the side for recent games.
Newcastle United’s struggles are persisting with the club’s run without a win in the Premier League having, rather worryingly, stretched to seven games following the 3-2 defeat to Leicester City at the weekend.
Manager Rafael Benitez retains the backing of large swathes of Newcastle supporters but it is clear that instant improvement is needed, otherwise there is a very real prospect that the club could return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.
Benitez has options at his disposal, including the possibility of restoring Jonjo Shelvey to the starting line-up.
The central midfielder has been used sparingly of late, having featured as a substitute against West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea before not even getting off the bench against Leicester.
Shelvey lacks consistency and has been known to lose his composure at times, but at his best he is capable of making a difference with his passing range.
Newcastle are in need of a creative spark at present and, with Mikel Merino still seemingly lacking sharpness after recovering from injury, Shelvey should be entrusted with a starting berth for Wednesday night’s game at home to Everton.
Playing Shelvey, perhaps alongside Isaac Hayden, would give Newcastle greater balance in midfield and should also make them more resilient defensively.
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