Jonjo’s summer in gym to meet Howe demands

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JONJO SHELVEY sacrificed his summer to “smash the gym” and lose body fat to remain part of Newcastle’s rebuild.

The former Liverpool and England midfielder has vowed to remain a big part of Eddie Howe’s plans and prove himself worthy of a place in the same midfield as Brazil star Bruno Guimaraes.

Shelvey spent a month in Turkey with a personal trainer after ending the season with a calf injury.

With the Tyneside club on the up and ready to spend big, Shelvey (right) knew he had to up his levels again.

He admitted: “If I didn’t buy into it, I’d be out the door. We’ve got some great players – you know what I mean?

“Since I’ve been here, this is the strongest squad and I just want to be part of it. I want to play as many games as possible and

From Simon Bird Austria

I back myself to do that.

“Bruno is a fantastic footballer but there are going to be even more fantastic footballers joining the club. You have to raise your game every day and strive to be better.”

Shelvey has a fantastic passing range and has added a tenacious defensive game under Howe.

Looking ultra-trim on Newcastle’s preseason trip to Austria,

Shelvey explained: “I’ve not really had a summer. I was injured at the back end of the season, went away and did my rehab in Turkey. I smashed the gym in Belek.

“I’ve lost 35mm of body fat so I definitely feel better in myself.”

Asked what his motivation was, Shelvey was coy. “I wouldn’t say it was because of players coming in. I back myself against any player but with the way the game is going, you’ve got to get on board or you fall by the wayside,” he said.

“A lot of the game is now based on stats, which may be right or wrong but you get on board with it.

“Everyone knows what I can do with a football. It’s just me keeping fit and showing the gaffer every day in training.

“His sessions are very intense. As soon as Eddie came in, the intensity of the sessions went through the roof. “It’s been a breath of fresh

air.”