Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey is the subject of intense interest from Newcastle United

Newcastle have expressed an interest in signing Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, Sky sources understand.

Sky Sports News HQ reported last week that Steve McClaren's side were keen on signing the 23-year-old England international.

Several English newspapers have previously reported that the player could cost Newcastle around £10m.

Shelvey has struggled to earn a place in the Swans' first team this season under both previous boss Garry Monk and his temporary successor Alan Curtis.

He played 90 minutes in the Swans' shock FA Cup third-round exit to League Two side Oxford United on Sunday.

But the former Liverpool man started just three Premier League games since October and was not part of the squad for the recent matches against Liverpool, Leicester, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Boss Curtis said this week: "We all know his ability, everybody can see it. His last game he was disappointing and he is far better than that.

Shelvey made a rare appearance in the shock FA Cup third-round exit to Oxford United

"I've tried to speak to him and his attitude has always been in question, but he just wants to play and he gets frustrated if he is not in the team.

"If he is in the team he is not a problem at all, if he is not in the team he can be a bit more difficult to manage. He doesn't come to you, you pull him in and find out when he is thinking about."