Midfielder banished by Premier League club - just months after agreeing Newcastle United transfer

Jonjo Shelvey was omitted from Nottingham Forest’s matchday squad for the visit to Liverpool last Saturday after reacting angrily to Steve Cooper’s team selection.

The Reds boss held a team meeting ahead of the trip to Anfield and told Shelvey he would be on the bench for the second successive Premier League match.

That provoked a furious response from Shelvey - according to the Daily Telegraph - and as a result was told to stay at home while his teammates travelled to Merseyside.

It is understood Cooper was unhappy with the 30-year-old’s performances in training last week and felt he had to take a stand. Forest lost the game 3-2.

Shelvey has made himself available for selection, despite not fully recovering from the calf injury he sustained whilst at Newcastle United in December.

Magpies’ head coach Eddie Howe wanted Shelvey to remain on Tyneside but respected the midfielder’s wishes to pursue the move. Shelvey put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

“I heard of Forest’s interest and it was something that caught my eye. I went in to see the manager at Newcastle and asked if they’d let me go. I got told no at first!” Shelvey said.

“I think he wanted to keep me around the training ground and stuff like that but I needed a fresh start and a new challenge. Luckily I’ve found a club in Nottingham Forest that was willing to come in and take me.

“It’s a club on the up and really excites me. I knew a few of the players and coaching staff already. It was nice that I knew people here already and once I’d spoken to them, it was a no-brainer.”

Shelvey ended his seven-year spell at St James’ Park on good terms. He waved goodbye to the supporters during half-time of United’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Southampton. He also addressed his former teammates with a dressing room speech.

“I was really pleased to see him speak in the way that he did, expressing his thanks to everybody in the room and just looking back at his journey with the club,” Howe said.

“He’s been an incredible servant for the football club over many years. In dark times as well for the club, he has always stood up and given his best for the club. I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and as a person, and we’re devastated to lose him.”

Shelvey played against United in last month’s meeting at the City Ground when Alexander Isak’s scored an injury-time penalty to seal a 2-1 victory.

Forest host FA Cup semi-finalists Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night as they look to reignite their survival hopes. Cooper’s side, who are on an 11 match winless run, sit 19th in the table, one point from safety.

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