Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has started in Rafael Benitez’s side’s last two matches.
Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has told NUFC TV that Jonjo Shelvey knows that he is having problems, but is working hard to solve them.
Shelvey was expected to have a crucial role to play in Newcastle’s team following their relegation, but he is far from guaranteed a starting place.
The former Swansea City midfielder has been rotated in and out of Newcastle’s side, although he has started in Newcastle’s last two matches.
Benitez has seen a big improvement in Shelvey’s game, but the Spanish boss feels that there are areas which he still needs to work on.
“I think he knows his strength and also his problems, he is working on that and he is improving,” Benitez said.
“During the summer he was working very, very hard – trying to be fit.
“At the beginning of the season it was the same, and ou could see with every training session that he had more confidence and was playing better.
“He is a player that needs confidence and his first goal was massive for him too. There are a lot of positives because he’s been working very hard and little by little, he’s learning things about his game, that is positive for his future too.”
Shelvey appears likely to start in Newcastle’s match later this evening, which comes against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
The Magpies made a slow start to the campaign, but they have started to click into gear over recent weeks.
Newcastle have won their last four matches, to move up to second in the Championship table.
QPR have also made an encouraging start to the new campaign, but they were held to a draw by Blackburn Rovers in their last match.
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