Peter Beardsley is confident that Jonjo Shelvey will soon be back in the first team after making a successful comeback with Newcastle United’s Under-23 team at St James’ Park this week.
Shelvey ran the show for long periods in the 2-2 draw with Norwich City and Beardsley was delighted by the midfielder’s application on the night.
The England international played 90 minutes against the Canaries and is now in contention for the home game with Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
Beardsley said: “When the first goal went in (against Norwich) he was telling them to be calm, relax and just pass the ball.
“Good advice.
“He’s been with some good people himself and he’s passing that knowledge on.
“That’s the good thing for us as a group of staff.
“He almost takes your job off you in a nice way and he does the job for you.
“On the pitch, he’s our voice.
“When you talk, you can tell he’s listening.
“You can tell he understands.
“For me, as a coach/manager, that’s the good thing.
“You can tell when people understand.
“You look them in the eye, and he understands.
“He’s a player, no doubt.
“When the time comes, he’ll be back in the first team.”
Beardsley’s reserve side trained at the senior end of the training ground during the international break, a policy set up by Rafa Benitez.
The former England man said: “During international breaks, we see a bit more of him, and I mean all of them, because international breaks, to be fair to Rafa, he takes our group up and lets them join in.
“He’s really good like that.
“He’s brilliant, really, really good and really enthusiastic.”