Benitez should give these 3 Newcastle players a chance in the FA Cup

Jonjo Shelvey

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey served the last of his five-game ban for using racially abusive language in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Brentford at the weekend, and could come straight back into the side against Zola’s Birmingham.

The 24-year-old, who has played six times for England, including five in 2015, has been a key cog in the Magpies’ midfield this season, starting 20 of their Championship matches, and scoring three goals and laying on six assists in that time.

Shelvey will be fit and fresh to take to the field at St James’ Park, and he’d certainly give Benitez’s men more creativity and a greater spark in the middle.

Newcastle want to get through to the next round, where Oxford United await, so don’t be too surprised if Shelvey makes an immediate return to the starting line-up.