The Newcastle United deadline day development that left Eddie Howe ‘devastated’

Eddie Howe admits he is “devastated” to lose Jonjo Shelvey to Nottingham Forest after the central midfielder bid an emotional farewell to Newcastle United last night.

Having been in Nottingham earlier in the day to finalise his two-and-a-half-year switch to the City Ground, Shelvey made the journey back up to the North East to watch the Magpies progress into the final of the Carabao Cup.

The 30-year-old came onto the St James’ Park pitch at half-time and waved goodbye to the supporters following his seven years at the football club.

And at full-time, where United emerged as 3-1 win aggregate winners over Southampton, Shelvey was persuaded to come into the home dressing room and pose in the iconic team photo.

Not only that, but the former Liverpool midfielder took it upon himself to address his teammates and staff.

“Yes, he did,” Howe confirmed, when asked if Shelvey spoke in the dressing room. “He spoke really well.

“I was really pleased to see him and to hear him speaking the way he did and expressing his thanks to everybody in the room and looking back at his journey at the club.

“He’s been an incredible servant for the football club over many years, in dark times he’s always stood up and given his best.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person and a player. We’re devastated to lose him.”

Howe also conceded that Shelvey’s departure leaves Newcastle light in midfield, especially with Bruno Guimaraes set to miss the next three games through suspension.

The Brazilian was shown a straight red card in the remaining 10 minutes after a late challenge on Saints full-back Samuel Edozie.

“No window is perfect,” said Howe. “I don’t think this window has been perfect for us but that’s just the reality of the situation. I think we’ve signed two really talented young players (Harrison Ashby and Anthony Gordon), I’m really pleased with those signings.

“We are disappointed to lose Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey but you have to respect players’ wishes as well, It’s not always about what the club wants, you have to look at things from a position of everybody’s needs. We are maybe slight in a couple of areas but we do have a lot of quality in the squad.”