Shelvey prepared to put his holidays on hold for the chance to play at World Cup

TOON MIDFIELDER IN CALL-UP PLEA TO SOUTHGATE

JONJO Shelvey has pleaded with Gareth Southgate to take him to the World Cup with England this summer.

The Newcastle United midfielder has been out of favour with the Three Lions for three years and is yet to win a cap under Southgate.

Shelvey insists he has cleaned up his act in terms of discipline and feels his form is good enough to be considered for the finals in Russia.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Shelvey said: “I would love to go to the World Cup.

“It would be such an amazing achievement and every kid’s dream is to go to the World Cup and play for your country.

“But there is only so much I can do in terms of on the pitch and off it to get into that squad, and then it’s down to the manager to select you.” Shelvey was sent off at home to Tottenham Hotspur for a stamp on Dele Alli and then again in December for two yellow cards against Everton. He reflected: “You can say anything about disciplinary issues but I had two red cards this season, the first one was very stupid and I feel l i k e I’ve learned from it, but the second one I had to make the foul to stop the geezer from going through and scoring. “That’s just part and parcel of what happens in football. “Look at the yellow card situation and I’m probably one of the lower ones in the Premier League. “I wouldn’t say it’s a discipline thing, I think it’s from the past and obviously that’s the reputation I’ve got, but I think I’ve done a lot to iron that out.

“I speak for probably every English player out there that you want to go.

“You can have six weeks off, lying in the sun, but you don’t want that.

“It’s nice that a lot of the pundits are coming out and saying I deserve a chance to be selected.

“I think that’s down to what I’ve been doing on the pitch.

“E v e r y o n e knows I can pass the ball and that I’ve got a good footballing ability.”

Shelvey even says he is prepared to cancel his holidays in order to be involved in the tournament.

He added: “You want to go to the World Cup, to keep playing football. “I booked my holidays probably three to four months ago when I was miles away from a call-up, but I’d lose all that money just to get a chance to go. “I have been playing very well but I owe a lot to the manager and my team-mates. “It is quite easy to come in and play the way I have been because of how we all work together and the team spirit. “I think the Championship season was good to drop down and get that confidence back, and the run of games to show I can be consistent, and I feel like I have taken that into this season as well.”