Lee Ryder has taken To Twitter to speak about the injury boost Eddie Howe revealed in his Newcastle United pre-match press conference.
It has been a testing few weeks for Newcastle having gone six league games without a win and also saw several players pick up injuries such as Jonjo Shelvey, Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak.
However, Howe has now dropped some pretty big Newcastle news, he firstly confirmed Saint-Maxmin and Joelinton had trained all week ahead of the Brentford game, but potentially more significant, long-term absentee Shelvey was set to train for the first time this season today.
Speaking on Friday, Ryder admitted that Howe’s comments on Shelvey were ‘intriguing’ prior to the Brentford game.
“An interesting bit of news, probably more intriguing than anything else, was Jonjo Shelvey is going to train today on this really rainy Tyneside morning, but it just shows you he’s edging closer and coming back a lot quicker than people expected.
“A few people were surprised when he was included in the 25-man squad because there were reports he was going to be missing for like three or four months, but he’s certainly beat the clock in terms of that and he’s going to be back training today.
When fit, should Shelvey start for NUFC?
Yes!
No!
“So probably Brentford will come maybe a little bit too early, but you never know and really, for Newcastle fans, the fact that he’s back to complement those midfield options is another big boost.”
TIF Thoughts on Shelvey’s return…
Howe will be desperate to get Shelvey back out on the pitch and help contribute to the team having become a dependable member of the squad under the manager last season featuring in all but seven games from when Howe was appointed.
Not only will Howe be desperate for Shelvey to get back playing, but Bruno Guimaraes will also be keen for him to return as that will unleash him to play further forward in a number eight position, something he’s admitted that he prefers to do.
Shelvey’s ability to play long passes and split open defences, he ranked top for successful long passes when it came to outfield players last season, is a huge asset for the Magpies, especially when being pressed by teams, so his return will be a welcomed boost.