JONJO SHELVEY claims there is a ‘feel-good factor’ around Newcastle United despite last season’s relegation, and is determined to repay the supporters’ continued faith by securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Newcastle play their penultimate pre-season friendly this evening when they travel to Southend United, with their opening Championship fixture at Fulham now just ten days away.

A lot has happened since relegation was confirmed in the final week of last season, with Rafael Benitez’s decision to remain at St James’ Park sparking a recruitment drive that has seen six new players arrive on Tyneside.

The club’s attempts to reengage with the fan base and local community after years of controversy under Mike Ashley have been well received, and season-ticket sales have held up remarkably given that Newcastle will be competing in the second tier next season.

Shelvey would not have expected to be playing in the Championship when he agreed to join Newcastle from Swansea in January, but he insists the thought of leaving Tyneside never crossed his mind despite last season’s disappointments.

And as he looks ahead to the start of the new campaign, the 24-year-old is adamant that no one is feeling sorry for themselves

“I don’t think you can do that,” said Shelvey. “And this certainly doesn’t feel like a club that’s feeling sorry for itself because of what happened.

“We obviously deserved to go down because we weren’t good enough last year. It is what it is, and we are where we are, but it’s down to us now to put things right

“We’ve brought in some tremendous signings, and it’s obviously another big plus with the manager staying. He’ll be giving it his best shot to try to get us out of the Championship. It’s down to us now to repay the fans for sticking by us.”

Tonight’s game pits Newcastle against League One opposition, and should provide the strongest indication yet of Benitez’s thinking ahead of next Friday’s trip to Craven Cottage.

With Aleksandar Mitrovic suspended for the opening four games of the season, Dwight Gayle is expected to start up front at Roots Hall, with Ayoze Perez playing behind him in the ‘number ten’ role.

Matz Sels looks set to start the campaign in goal, with Karl Darlow having to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench, and it remains to be seen whether it is Vurnon Anita or Paul Dummett lining up in the left-back berth.

“There’s nothing better than being back playing games, that’s what you want to do as a footballer,” said Shelvey. “You want to play as many games as you can in the short space of time before the season begins, because that’s the best way to get fit and sharp. It’s good to be back out there.”