Sean Longstaff injury presents Jonjo Shelvey with Newcastle chance he cannot afford to blow

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Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff could be out for the remainder of the season after suffering knee ligament damage.

The club’s official website have confirmed it is “likely” that Longstaff will be ruled out for the rest of this campaign.

This is a major blow for both Newcastle and Longstaff as he had just broken into the first-team. Thriving in the central midfield role, the 21-year-old was even tipped for an England call-up by some pundits.

But the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Longstaff’s injury could give Jonjo Shelvey a much-needed reprieve at St James’ Park.

Shelvey has not played for the Magpies since an FA Cup outing in early January. This is due to a combination of injuries and a failure to work his way back into the team.

The sporadic England international has not even made the match day squad for several recent matches, but that could change after Longstaff’s injury.

With time running out at Newcastle unless he regains his place in Rafa Benitez’s plans, the 27-year-old cannot afford to pass up this opportunity.

Shelvey must use this opening to show Benitez that he still has something to offer, amid rumours of a summer move to West Ham (The Sun via HITC Sport).

Two other central midfielders at Newcastle – Ki Sung-yeung and Mo Diame – find themselves in a similar position. The emergence of Sean Longstaff, combined with the return of Isaac Hayden, has forced Shelvey, Ki and Diame into back-up roles.

But they could resurrect their Newcastle careers in the absence of Longstaff.