Newcastle: Howe now facing ‘amazing’ issue at St James’ Park

Newcastle United have missed midfielder Jonjo Shelvey badly during his latest battle with injury, with the problem starting to affect the performances of Bruno Guimaraes too, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Eddie Howe has overseen a steady start to the Premier League season but is yet to see the Magpies play at their brilliant best this term.

The 30-year-old is expected to be sidelined until the start of November after suffering a hamstring injury against Benfica in pre-season, according to MailOnline.

Shelvey had initially hoped the problem would not prove to be too serious but ultimately required him to return to the UK for surgery.

Subsequently, Newcastle were reportedly monitoring the situation of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher as Howe looked to bolster his options, but with the Blues demanding £40 million for their star, the move did not materialise.

Towards the end of August, the manager delivered an update on Shelvey, saying he was ‘pleased’ with the player’s progress.

Howe added that Shelvey was ‘absolutely determined’ to make it back onto the pitch as soon as possible.

In his absence, January signing Guimaraes has been forced to take up a more defensive role in midfield.

Downie says that it is amazing how much Newcastle’s attacking play seemed to rely on Shelvey’s presence at the base of the midfield.

The Sky Sports reporter adds that the £70,000 per-week star was crucial in allowing Guimaraes to make forays forward and affect proceedings in attack.

Downie told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s amazing. The longer these performances go on, where they’re struggling to create, the more you think, you know what, this team actually misses Jonjo Shelvey. With Shelvey in there last season, just sitting and taking