Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is happy with the message he got from manager Eddie Howe.

The sacking of Steve Bruce and subsequent arrival of Howe may have bought Shelvey a new lease of life at the club.

"When you actually work with him, you realise he's an incredible technician, and he can play passes all over the pitch, long and short," said Howe in his opening press conference regarding Shelvey.

"He's someone that I've looked at, in terms of our philosophy and how we want to play, and he'll be very important for us as the season develops."

"It was lovely," said the 29-year-old about those comments, per the Gazette.

"I've never worked with him, so for him to say that after one week's training … it made me really want to repay him on the Saturday, and continue repaying him for as long as he's here. We've got off to a great relationship."