Jonjo Shelvey has got 'straight back to being who he is' after making his Nottingham Forest debut following his deadline day move from Newcastle United.
That is according to Forest boss Steve Cooper, who threw the midfielder on just before the hour mark in his side's 2-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. It was Shelvey's first top-flight appearance since November after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Shelvey's return to action has come at a time when Newcastle look especially light in the middle of the park ahead of the visit of Liverpool on Saturday. Bruno Guimaraes will be suspended against Jurgen Klopp's side while Joe Willock is a huge doubt after picking up a hamstring injury at Bournemouth so forward Anthony Gordon could start in a free role through the middle because of a lack of recognised alternatives.
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It is important to stress, of course, that Shelvey wanted to leave Newcastle and Howe ultimately respected the playmaker's wishes even though he did not want to lose him. However, Newcastle were unable to secure a worthy replacement at the 11th hour last month in a window Howe admitted was not 'perfect'.
Although it would be hard to imagine Shelvey starting a game against Liverpool quite so quickly after a period out, the former England international was at least an option that Forest are now able to call upon.
"Jonjo has been out injured and, obviously, he has been with us for a week or so," Cooper told reporters after the defeat against Fulham. "He just needed the minutes to get back into the rhythm of playing. I thought he was excellent.
"His ability on the ball was as we know. He got straight back to being who he is. His range of passing was excellent. The cross he made for Serge's [Aurier] chance was good."
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