‘Training again brings a smile to my face’

NEWCASTLE United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has lifted the lid on the injury agony which has restricted his season to just 12 appearances.

Rafa Benitez’s side have had to battle on without their top earner for long periods, the midfielder’s 2019 so far dented by a thigh injury which has required regular trips to Barcelona to see a specialist.

Speaking from Spain about his issues, Shelvey said: “I went away in the summer and got myself even fitter to be honest with you and came back to pre-season and then this happens.

“You are in and out and it is hard to gain that momentum, to manage the pain.

“I was literally just hobbling around the pitch and I cannot give the best account of myself for this club and for myself so I needed to take the time off.

“It has been hard and the manager said to me to just nip it in the bud and get it sorted - but I just wanted to keep playing and playing and playing.

“I eventually learnt my lesson to nip it in the bud and it has been six weeks now since I kicked a football.

“Coming out here and starting to re-integrate with the team just brings a smile to your face.”

Shelvey has joined in training during Newcastle’s stay in La Finca and took time out to speak about his disappointing campaign so far.

After travelling to La Finca from Barcelona this week he admitted: “It is hard. You are going into training every day and seeing the lads smiling and training outside and running around .

“Even on a match day, you miss that buzz of putting the kit on and playing for your club.

“It was probably my fault in the first place why I have been out so long.

“I should have nipped it in the bud and took a few weeks in pre-season to get it right but I just want to play football and go through the pain barrier.

“Sometimes you have to think about yourself and look after your body and that is something I have realised over the last four or five weeks.”