EDDIE HOWE insists Newcastle United have no intention of losing Jonjo Shelvey this month – and has also ruled out Karl Darlow leaving ahead of tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg with Southampton.

Shelvey has been linked with a possible departure from St James’ Park in the last few days, with Turkish club Besiktas having been credited with a strong interest in signing him.

The midfielder remains a number of weeks away from a first-team return, having suffered a calf injury in December, but while his only start of the whole campaign came in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace, Howe is adamant the 30-year-old remains a key part of Newcastle’s first-team squad.

“I’ve been surprised at all the speculation (about Shelvey),” said Howe. “I’ve got no idea where that has come from. It’s certainly not come from us. Jonjo is a very valued member of the squad.”

Shelvey’s contract situation is complicated as he is due to become a free agent in the summer, but will automatically trigger an extension if he makes two more senior starts.

Howe and the rest of the Newcastle hierarchy will have to decide what to do when the midfielder regains full fitness, but at this stage, it is unlikely that he will be moved on this month.

Darlow is expected to depart on loan before the transfer window closes a week tomorrow, with Hull City understood to have agreed the terms of a deal that will see the goalkeeper move to the MKM Stadium for the remainder of the campaign.

However, with Martin Dubravka ineligible for either leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final as he has already played for Manchester United in this season’s competition, Darlow will not be moving anywhere ahead of tomorrow’s first leg. Howe will have to decide whether to name Darlow or Loris Karius on the bench at St Mary’s as cover for Nick Pope.

“There’ll be no one going out before tomorrow,” said Howe. “We assess the squad on a daily basis, and depending on what’s happening, there’s lots of noise and lots of things going on, but we certainly want to keep the squad intact.”