The midfielder, 27, cannot find a way past youngster Sean Longstaff or Isaac Hayden in Rafa Benitez’s starting line-up since returning from injury.
Ex-Liverpool man Shelvey has not kicked a ball for the first-team since the draw with Blackburn on January 5.
And that led Toon's highest-paid player to request some reserve team action in order to get some match fitness under his belt.
Early today Benitez confirmed the ace was joining the Toon kids on their trip to Fulham after asking permission to play.
And not only did he get just over an hour’s action under his belt he also proved to be the unlikely hero.
Shelvey met Tom Allan’s cross with his head to nod in the only goal at Fulham’s Motspur Park training HQ.
That makes it four wins on the bounce for the Magpies and the six-cap England international will now be chomping at the bit for some Premier League action.
DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM Almiron and Longstaff have transformed Newcastle in front of goal as Benitez finally finds the right balance
The star could even have made the short trip across the capital to join up with Benitez and his squad immediately after Friday’s run-out.
He may be a surprise choice on the bench when Newcastle take on West Ham at the London Stadium in Saturday’s tea time kick-off, although next week's home clash with Everton seems a more realistic target.
Source: Read Full Article