Jonjo Shelvey has been suspended for Newcastle United’s last three games after being sent off on the opening day.
Paul Merson has told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (broadcast on 9th September from 12:00 pm) that he would be stunned if Jonjo Shelvey started Newcastle’s game against Swansea on Sunday following the end of his suspension.
Shelvey has not played for the Magpies since the opening day of the season after he was sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur following a stamp on Spurs midfielder Dele Alli.
His dismissal saw the former Charlton trainee receive a lot of criticism as Tottenham’s two goals came with Newcastle down to 10 men – having previously looked fairly comfortable before the red card – and they have followed that result with defeats to Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest.
But Merson suggested, having won their most recent game before the international break 3-0 against West Ham, that it would be a big surprise to him to see Rafa Benitez bring the midfielder straight back into the starting lineup following the end of his suspension.
“I think he’ll take a little bit more punishment because that was a big sending off – it changed the game against Tottenham. They looked quite comfortable if I was being honest. So, I’d be shocked if he was back in the team. It’s a prime example for him to put him on the bench and teach him a lesson.”
Though Shelvey let the side down on the opening day, he certainly has the potential to be a key player for Newcastle as they try to ensure that they remain in the Premier League beyond this season.
And with many now questioning him, the 25-year-old will surely have all the motivation he needs to prove his critics wrong, and thus, may be itching to get on the pitch as quickly as possible against his former club.
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