Newcastle United will likely be without midfielder Jonjo Shelvey when they welcome Nottingham Forest in their Premier League opener on August 6.
Shelvey has picked up a hamstring injury over the summer and will be out for "around two weeks", meaning he could miss the game at St. James' Park next weekend when Forest come to town.
The 30-year-old made 24 Premier League appearances last season but could be set to play a lesser role under Eddie Howe during the season ahead. They have not signed any central midfielders yet this summer, but have been linked with several who could push Shelvey down the pecking order.
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He is something of a stalwart at Newcastle, though, having made 196 appearances across seven seasons with the Magpies. Speaking on Tuesday, before the extent of Shelvey's injury was clear, their boss Eddie Howe said: “Jonjo, it looks like a hamstring problem. I don’t know any more than that at the moment.
"It's really disappointing, he’s worked so hard to keep himself fit and be in a good place physically. Any injury would be a blow to him and for us, so fingers crossed it’s not bad."
Sky Sports' Keith Downie today tweeted: "Hearing Jonjo Shelvey’s hamstring injury is not too serious; likely to keep him out for around two weeks though."
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