Darlow and Shelvey caught in 3am brawl hours before China tour

NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Karl Darlow allegedly kicked a man after he and team-mate Jonjo Shelvey were caught up in a 3am street brawl just hours before the squad jetted off on their pre-season tour of China. Sportsmail can reveal that the row escalated after claims Shelvey was called a ‘bald c***’ while in a takeaway and the midfielder responded by saying: ‘Go back to your council house, you peasant.’ The argument spilled on to the street in Morpeth, Northumberland, and it is alleged that a friend of Darlow’s punched a man. Footage of the incident, revealed exclusively by MailOnline, then appears to show Darlow (below) kicking the man in the back as he gets to his feet, while Shelvey is restrained and ushered away, although there is no suggestiongg he was involvinvolved in the phyphysical conflict.co TThe two Newcastle players had been pplaying golfgo last FridaFriday before drinking with friends, including team-mate Jack Colback, in the Black Bull pub. A source told Sportsmail: ‘Jonjo Shelvey was in the takeaway (opposite the Black Bull) when a group of lads called him a “bald c***”. He laughed it off and said, “Go back to your council house, you peasant”. ‘But a friend of Karl Darlow has then got protective and weighed in with a punch. ‘It would appear Darlow has also got involved in the fight. ‘Shelvey is now getting some grief from the lads involved, although he was not involved in the actual altercation.’ Northumbria Police say they were not called to the incident. Newcastle declined to comment but they are sure to investigate. The players are likely to be asked to explain their actions when they return from China this weekend, as they were boarding a team flight just hours later. The episode is yet another unwanted distraction for new manager Steve Bruce, who was appointed this week amid a backlash from supporters towards owner Mike Ashley. A joint statement by nine supporters’ groups labelled Bruce’s arrival as ‘unambitious’ and said he ‘wouldn’t get a job at any other Premier League side’.