Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has reflected on his failure to make the England World Cup squad and insists that he will keep working hard in order to be called up again.
The 26-year-old was tipped to make Gareth Southgate's squad for Russia 2018 following a strong season at club level but ended up being snubbed as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the competition.
Shelvey has made six appearances for England, with his last game against France in November 2015, but despite missing out for selection in the summer, the player is confident that the door remains open for a future call-up.
"It's hard to sit there and watch because you want your country to do well but you want to be there at the same time," Shelvey told Sky Sports News. "But you've just got to get behind them and support them.
"I could have brought something to the team. But I'm not going to sit here and criticise the people that played because they did fantastically well.
"There is nothing better playing for your country at Wembley in front of all of those people with your family there. It gives you goosebumps. But it's something I've got to work towards this year, keep my head down and try my hardest to get there.
"My first goal this season is to cement my place in the Newcastle team. My second goal is to do as well as we can, and obviously the third is to try and break into the England team."
Newcastle return to action on Saturday with a trip to newly-promoted Cardiff City.
Giuseppe Labellarte
