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Mikel Merino and Jonjo Shelvey could play in midfield together in the future, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez insists.

The duo have yet to start a match together this season, with Shelvey being an absentee from the United XI since receiving a three-match suspension after being sent off in the opening-day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Since then, Merino has established a promising partnership with Isaac Hayden in midfield, with the on-loan Borussia Dortmund player already turning himself into a firm fans’ favourite.

However, Shelvey and Merino did feature in midfield together for the final 21 minutes of Newcastle’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City last weekend.

Though it appears unlikely that Shelvey will displace Hayden in the United starting XI for the trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, Benitez is adamant the England international and Merino could play together in the future.

First though, the duo must further learn how the other plays in order to tactically adapt their games accordingly.

“Yes, why not,” Benitez replied when asked if Merino and Shelvey were able to play together.

“I think they have quality and, if tactically they understand the role of each other, then I can see it, yes.”

Despite having been available for selection for each of Newcastle’s last two matches following suspension, Shelvey has been forced to content himself with a place on the bench.

Benitez once again sat down with the 25-year-old this week in order to explain to him that the only way he is going to regain his starting place is by proving himself in training.

“Being left out is something they have to understand,” Benitez added.

“I have had another word with Jonjo and he knows my idea and he knows the way to change things is every training session to show the quality that he has and what we are expecting from him, so the reaction of the players is fine.

“The problem even when you are doing well, the manager has to decide.

“He can change it because Jonjo is a good player, and also [Mo] Diame when he has come in, he has worked very hard, so I don’t have any problem to change players if it’s necessary, and we will see.

“The training sessions, if I have to pick a couple of players for the training sessions, it’s quite difficult because they are doing well, all of them.

“But after, you have to analyse your team, how we are doing and the other team and say: ‘OK, I will pick these two.’

“But I don’t have any problem to play one or the other one because they are training really well.”