Jonjo Shelvey is targeting a European spot in the Premier League with Newcastle United this season. Not since the 2012-13 campaign have the Magpies competed on the continent, when Alan Pardew guided the club to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Benfica - the side United face in pre-season on Tuesday - eliminated United that year, with relegation battles all Toon supporters have known since. While that season in European competition ultimately proved to be a fling, the £300million Saudi-backed takeover last October planted the seeds of a potential romance in the not-too-distant future.
Newcastle stalwart Shelvey is relishing the prospect of competing at the top end of the division. His six-and-a-half years on Tyneside have polarised supporters but he remains an integral part of Eddie Howe’s plans.
