Shelvey was sent off for kicking out at Nottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury last weekend, although the red card has since been rescinded.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has told Chronicle Live that all Jonjo Shelvey needs to do is to learn to control himself is he is to fulfil his potential.
Shelvey has been touted by many as the best midfielder – perhaps even the best player in any position – in the Championship this season as a result of his performances for the Magpies.
However, one issue that has plagued his career so far is that of a lack of discipline, something which reared its head once more in last weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
Shelvey was sent off for kicking out at Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury in the first half, and after Paul Dummett was also dismissed, Newcastle went on to lose the game late on.
The former Liverpool and Swansea City midfielder was blasted by former Magpies star Micky Quinn after the match for his moment of madness.
Both red cards have since been rescinded, but Benitez still insists that Shelvey must learn to cut that side out of his game if he is to be a real success in his career.
Benitez said, as reported by Chronicle Live: “I didn’t have to say anything to him (after the Forest game) because he was apologising to everyone because he knew he made a mistake. If he wants to grow, and I think he does, he has to keep doing the same thing he has been during the season.
“He has been one of the best players in the team because he came back from the summer really focused, he was concentrating, training really well and listening to everyone. Then this thing that happened the other day proved that he has to stay focused and do his job like he was before.
“I’m confident he can do that. When I talk to him or see him playing I realise there’s a very good player who has to have this control. It’s a question of time. He has to be more mature in his reaction but I think he has to learn
“Normally with him he’s fine in 99% of the situations and you have one per cent where he loses control. Hopefully he can control even this one per cent. All the teams have one or two players who lose their temper a little bit earlier than the other. Also I think he’s learning, he has more experience, which is the key.”
Shelvey will now be available to start once again for Newcastle in the Championship clash with Birmingham City at St. James’ Park this afternoon after his suspension was overturned.
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