Jonjo Shelvey was in unbelievable shape during Newcastle United's pre-season tours of Austria and Portugal. And then disaster struck as he chased a ball amid the illustrious backdrop of the Estádio da Luz against Benfica.
Undeterred and a handful of games away from triggering a new contract extension, Shelvey got his head down and worked throughout late summer to ensure he was available for selection as soon as possible.
The weather was slightly different to that humid night in Lisbon in pre-season when Shelvey made his return to action in the capital against Spurs. The rain was tipping down and the London skies had endured thunder and lightning as Shelvey came on the final throes of the game.
READ MORE: 'He never gives up' - Newcastle have found mentality monster as Jack Grealish insult truth told
Shelvey had been summoned a lot earlier by Eddie Howe and it had at one point looked like he would get 10 minutes or so to regain that magical feeling of stepping on to the Premier League stage. But in the end the few minutes he got in stoppage will mean the world to him.
What the Sky Sports cameras did not see was the rigorous workout Shelvey put in with the fitness staff at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as fans made their way home. Shelvey was put through his paces and weather aside it was a reminder of how hard the 30-year-old worked in pre-season.
Slowly but surely Shelvey has is being eased back but the real dilemma is who he'd replace. Bruno Guimaraes is in the form of his life, Sean Longstaff is in the side on merit with goals and assists to his name and Joe Willock is playing well without scoring.
Even Joelinton had to play in the front three at Tottenham yesterday. Although, there is a valid argument that former Liverpool and Charlton Athletic star Shelvey starts sooner rather than later.
He brings balance to the side and allows Bruno to nudge up the field even further. Speaking about Shelvey, Howe says: "He's building his training load, he's building his robustness. What we don't want to do is get right to the end of his time back, push him too early – and then he breaks down.
"So we wanted him involved with the squad for his leadership, for his experience, to help the guys in every way that he knows that he can while he's not on the pitch. But he's getting closer all the time."
Shelvey's return could coincide with the World Cup break but he can bring star quality to the table with his range of passing and as Howe says his experience - as one of the elder statesmen in the dressing room - is there for all to see.
After a cruel injury blow in pre-season, Shelvey might be about to get some reward, both with his new deal and game-time either side of the World Cup.
READ MORE
The Newcastle United training ground move that rolled Spurs over in "revenge" mission
Antonio Conte makes draw claim after Spurs boss only saw 'one team' before Newcastle scored
Spurs chiefs' Newcastle fear is coming true, Eddie Howe's brilliant team talk and scary truth
Newcastle United end 10-year wait as Tottenham performance proves Jamie Carragher right
Alan Shearer sends Newcastle United shot of realism amid top four prediction
