Jonjo Shelvey has suffered a setback in his pursuit of a new contract at Newcastle United.

The 30-year-old will be sidelined until February with a calf strain.

And he is now set for a race against time to secure his Newcastle future.

Shelvey has to play two more matches to trigger a one-year contract extension at St James' Park.

His contract is up in the summer and his injury setback limits his chances of getting football.

Toon boss Eddie Howe is believed to be a big fan of the ex-Liverpool man but Shelvey is down the pecking order when it comes to midfielders.