Jonjo Shelvey has revealed he needs to play only three more matches to win a contract extension at Newcastle United.
The 30-year-old is entering the final year of his current deal but is now poised to earn another 12 months.
Shelvey, speaking after Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat by Mainz 05 here in Austria, said: ‘I’ve got three games to get another year, and hopefully I should do that this season. I mean, I’d be a bit worried if I didn’t!
‘At the end of the day, you’re always playing for a new contract, and I’m not thick, I’m not getting younger. I’m 30 years of age and I look about 40!
‘But you just want to be part of it. The only way for this club is up and a lot of people would want to be in my shoes.’
The former England international, who has been at Newcastle for six-and-a-half years, added: ‘The positivity around the club is great. We went through a really bad spell but it’s a really good place to be at the minute, the city is buzzing. My missus and kids love it up here.’
Newcastle, meanwhile, have been frustrated in their search for attacking reinforcements so far this summer. And boss Eddie Howe admits they need to improve in the final third after drawing a blank against their Bundesliga opponents.
‘It is the end of a long week, the lads have done a lot of training, and I was pleased with certain aspects,’ he said.
‘Obviously, we need to improve around their goal. Our creativity wasn’t quite there. When you watch pre-season games back, you have to have a very critical eye, but also acknowledging where the lads are at. The most important thing is that we’re ready for the first game, not this game today.’