talkSPORT exclusive: Matt Ritchie believes Newcastle team-mate Jonjo Shelvey can make it to England’s World Cup squad

Matt Ritchie has suggested Newcastle team-mate Jonjo Shelvey should receive an England call-up for this summer’s World Cup.

Shelvey has been in fine form for his club recently, prompting suggestions the midfielder could make it onto the plane to Russia.

The former Liverpool and Swansea man scored a great goal in the Magpies’ crucial 2-1 win at Leicester earlier this month.

And it was Ritchie who bagged the winning goal in a 2-1 win at home to Arsenal to put Rafa Benitez’s side 13 points clear of the relegation zone.

Ritchie, who has made 14 international appearances for Scotland, Shelvey’s recent form when he spoke to Max Rushden and Ray Parlour on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

Ritchie said: “He’s the best I’ve seen [at passing the ball]. I think you saw a glimpse of it at the weekend - left foot, right foot, under pressure, not under pressure.

“It’s not often that he hits a ball and you think ‘why has he done that?’ because more often than not he finds where he wants to put it.

“His form has been fantastic and obviously it’s not my place to say who plays for England but for sure if I was England manager, I would love to have him in my team.”