JAMAAL LASCELLES insists Newcastle United will not be hitting the beaches as they close in on a top-ten finish, writes Tim Nash.

Saturday's 2-1 victory at Leicester City made it three wins in a row for Rafael Benitez's side, lifting them to tenth in the Premier League, ten points clear of the safety line with six games to go.

And although they are not mathematically safe, Lascelles accepts there is enough of a cushion for them to reset their sights and look upwards for the rest of the season.

“Some teams, when they get safe, if they've got nothing to play for, they will be on the beach with three or four games to go,” said the 24-year-old defender.

“But we won't be – we're going to take it right to the last game trying to push for places in the table because it sets a statement.”

Lascelles believes that Newcastle fans can start looking forward to even better performances and results from now on as their survival worries have eased.

“The position we're in I think we can start really enjoying our football and play with a bit more freedom and confidence,” he added.

“I'm not saying we'll be taking our foot off the gas at all but without that anxiety, it brings more confidence and that can only end up with us playing better football. The only place we're looking now is up – making sure we get safe.

“If someone had told us we'd be on 38 points with six games to go, we'd have snapped their hand off. On a personal and a collective note, it's an excellent achievement.”

Jonjo Shelvey's first Premier League goal for the club and one from Ayoze Perez saw Newcastle clinch their first away win since New Year's Day at Stoke City.

Benitez believes Shelvey will only excel in more exalted company if the clamour for him to be selected for the England squad succeeds and he goes to the World Cup this summer.

“I think it’s good for him because now everybody is talking about he can go with the national team,” said the boss. “He scored and he was also good in the game.

“Jonjo is a good player but if he has good players around him like with England, he can be even better.”

Benitez reckons Shelvey will improve even more if he shows more composure.

“You try to do things but the main thing is he has the talent and the quality,” he added. “So he just has to settle down a little bit and then he can use his quality in the game to dictate the tempo.

“You try to repeat and repeat but it takes some time with this team because it is a young side.”

Shelvey will sacrifice personal glory for the team and believes Newcastle will only get better after adjusting to life back in the Premier League.

“I would love to get forward and score more goals, but it's not about that, it's about getting this club back to where it belongs,” he said.

“This year was about getting our Premier League status back and once we have achieved that then next season will be a lot better.”

Shelvey's goal celebration made reference to wearing spectacles and he explained the reason behind it.

“I'm the only one in my family who doesn't wear glasses, so it's a bit of banter between the family,” he said.