‘Absolute joke’ - Newcastle fans on Twitter aren’t happy as club posts photo

The Newcastle fans in the Transfer Tavern have been reacting to their club’s Twitter post, telling both Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles to enjoy their summer after being left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad. The pair have been in superb form this season for the Magpies and can count themselves very unfortunate to not have made the 23-man squad travelling to Russia.

Enjoy your summer, lads. You’ve earned it. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/iGne3fYli0

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) 16 May 2018

Whilst the news will be tough to take for both Lascelles and Shelvey, there’s not much more they could have done, having helped to guide Newcastle United to a 10th place finish in their first season back in the top-flight after being promoted from the Championship last season. Shelvey, in particular, has been touted for a surprise call-up given the injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, however, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been picked in his place.

The duo will be looking forward to having a summer off and then getting back to business with Rafa Benitez for Newcastle’s pre-season in a few months time. Missing out on a World Cup is always going to be tough to take, but with age on the pair’s side and a hunger to impress, Lascelles and Shelvey will be getting down to business and looking to show Southgate that he’s wrong as they aim for a place at Euro 2020.

You can read our local Geordies’ verdict on the pair here:

https://twitter.com/shauni46/status/996739246991007744

Gareth Southgate is clueless and embarrassing

The best English defender @Lascelles16 is not going to the World

England players are picked on what clubs they play for and favouritism

That’s why england never do well in tournaments

— SCARFACE (@LFC_LION) 16 May 2018