Shelvey’s Newcastle situation may convince West Ham to rekindle January interest

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West Ham host Newcastle United tomorrow, with Rafa Benitez’s side having found something of a rhythm in recent weeks, buoyed by the arrival of Miguel Almiron.

Another factor behind that good form has been the emergence of Sean Longstaff at the heart of midfield, which has been bad news for Jonjo Shelvey.

Rafa Benitez, via the Daily Mirror, has admitted it has been tough for Shelvey of late, and has not offered him much hope in terms of getting back into the side while they’re playing so well.

And that is something of a fall from grace for the Englishman, who the Evening Standard report was the subject of January interest from tomorrow’s opponents in the January transfer window.

And the fact that Shelvey finds himself out of the Newcastle team at present – he hasn’t even been on the bench for their last two matches – means that Manuel Pellegrini is likely to miss out on the chance to watch him up close at the weekend.

Shelvey’s current plight could work one of two ways for West Ham. The fact that he is out of the side could encourage them that a deal is there to be done in the summer.

Or it could make them worry about signing someone who can’t force his way into the starting eleven at a squad which is further down the league than they are.