Newcastle United star Eddie Howe has ‘missed’ returns to training ahead of schedule

Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has returned to training as he closes in on a return from a hamstring injury.

Having done plenty of fitness work in the off-season, the 30-year-old was dealt a harsh blow when injured during the Magpies’ defeat to Benfica in pre-season.

Shelvey underwent hamstring surgery, which has forced him to miss the opening two-and-a-half-months of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

However, the former Liverpool man is on track to return ahead of schedule after partly joining in with his teammates as they prepare to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“Yeah, he’s getting closer,” head coach Eddie Howe confirmed. “He has trained, not necessarily full training at this moment in time but he’s very, very close. He’s doing very well.”

Without Shelvey, Howe has had to rotate his midfield with Bruno Guimaraes often performing the sitting role. Joe Willock has started every game so far, while Sean Longstaff and Joelinton have also been in and out. Howe believes Newcastle have missed Shelvey.

“I think that’s the case with all players. Sometimes, you can take them for granted,” Howe said.

“Jonjo’s got real strengths for us, that when he’s in the team and playing well, we miss. His range of pass, his eye for a pass and his execution of that is of the very highest level. I think there’s definitely been games and times during the period where he’s been missed.”

Howe did not provide a return date, although there are suggestions the midfielder will return before the World Cup break on November 12.