Nottingham Forest signing Jonjo Shelvey admits Newcastle boss Howe didn't want him to leave last month.

Howe was keen to keep Shelvey in his threadbare squad until the end of the season before Forest's late swoop. In the end, Howe allowed the former Liverpool man to go experience a new challenge away from St James' Park.

"I heard of Forest's interest and it was something that caught my eye. I went in to see the manager at Newcastle and asked if they'd let me go. I got told no at first!" Shelvey quipped to Sky Sports.

"I think he wanted to keep me around the training ground and stuff like that but I needed a fresh start and a new challenge. Luckily I've found a club in Nottingham Forest that was willing to come in and take me.

"It's a club on the up and really excites me. I knew a few of the players and coaching staff already. It was nice that I knew people here already and once I'd spoken to them, it was a no-brainer."