Shelvey transfer update: Newcastle send message to West Ham and Fulham target

Jonjo Shelvey has been told he is staying at Newcastle - after interest from Fulham and West Ham .

The midfielder has been mooted as a potential swap for Tom Cairney, with Benitez a big fans of the Cottagers’ playmaker.

West Ham have also been credited with an interest again, but Benitez wants to keep his squad together, rather than sell.

Shelvey is struggling to be fit for the relegation clash with Cardiff on Saturday.

Asked if he could rule out Shelvey moving, Benitez said: “Yes. The idea is to keep as much as we can.”

Shelvey has been in Barcelona getting treatment on a thigh problem.

Benitez added: “We are just checking on his fitness. The problem with Jonjo is Jonjo was pushing to play.

"That is positive in one way, negative because he was feeling it a little bit. So he played in the FA Cup and after the game he was feeling his thigh.

“It’s a pity. I was talking with him before the game saying I want to protect him. He said he was fine and he was training and he was fine.”