Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey 'set to pick up £80k-a-week wage' in Championship

The Daily Telegraph report that the midfielder, signed for £12million from Swansea City in January, will still pick up £80,000 a week if the club is relegated.

Newcastle, under Mike Ashley's ownership, have not inserted relegation clauses into the contracts of all players.

The club's took has been that an insistence on such clauses would have hindered its recruitment.

Shelvey – who has been wearing the captain's armband in the absence through injury of Fabricio Coloccini – has failed to inspire the team since his memorable home debut against West Ham United.

And the 24-year-old has repeatedly refused to speak to the media.

Shelvey again refused to talk to journalists after the weekend's 3-1 defeat to Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium.

Instead, it was left to 22-year-old substitute Jamaal Lascelles to sum up what the team is lacking on the pitch.

Newcastle are 19th in the Premier League and six points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday's home game against Swansea, who have climbed to safety since Shelvey's departure.

Meanwhile, winger Andros Townsend, also signed for £12million in January, would be available for a cut-price £8million fee in the event of relegation.