Shelvey ruled out for two weeks – who should replace him?

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that midfielder Jonjo Shelvey will be out for the next two weeks with an injury.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Bruce revealed that Shelvey has suffered a grade two tear on his hamstring.

Twitter: Jonjo Shelvey ruled out for two weeks with grade 2 tear on hamstring #nufc (@lee_ryder) 

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Who should replace Shelvey in the starting line-up?

With Sean Longstaff coming back to fitness, it would make sense for Bruce to throw the academy graduate back into the starting line-up. Longstaff nailed down his place in the side before his injury last season and impressed against Spurs in Newcastle’s 1-0 win last month.

Shelvey started against Liverpool and Brighton in the last two games and failed to make an impact. He was too easily bypassed in midfield and offered very little going forward. Longstaff may be able to have more of an impact on games, with his determined play in midfield alongside Isaac Hayden, whom he has built a good relationship with on the pitch over the past year.

Longstaff and Hayden will be able to offer defensive stability in midfield, whilst also possessing the passing range to feed Newcastle’s attacking players – with the likes of Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin potentially starting ahead of them.