Newcastle United were beaten 1-0 on the road for the third time in the Premier League this season when they lost against Burnley at Turf Moor on Monday night, with Ayoze Perez partly at fault for Jeff Hendrick's goal after he lost possession.

The Spaniard has started all 10 of the Magpies' top flight fixtures in the No 10 position this season, but he has picked up just one goal and one assist in that time, and his disappointing showing against the Clarets may have proven to be the final straw for some of the Toon faithful, who want to see more from a player featuring in that role behind the lone striker.

Rafa Benitez has substituted the 24-year-old off in the last three matches to suggest that he isn't completely satisfied, but the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss doesn't exactly have a wealth of options to choose from if he wants to drop him from the starting XI.

However, midfielder Jonjo Shelvey could prove to be an inspired choice in that role given the attributes that he has and the form he has shown at times already this term.

Here are three reasons he should replace Perez in the No 10 position…

Creative ability

With 15 assists in 69 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle and 18 in 96 for Swansea City previously – most from a deep midfield position – it is clear to see that Shelvey has the ability to create good chances for his teammates.

The 25-year-old has a brilliant range of passing – as he showed with the defence-splitting ball he played for Joselu's goal against Newcastle earlier in the season –and his quality in possession and the fact that he can play perfectly-weighted passes should mean that he is more effective in the No 10 role than someone like Perez.

Physical attributes

You can come up against some big defensive midfielders when you play in the No 10 role in the Premier League – think Victor Wanyama or Nemanja Matic for example – and while someone like Perez can easily get bullied, you wouldn't see it fazing someone like Shelvey.

The 25-year-old isn't afraid of a battle and is relatively tall and strong, while he also has the ability and confidence to beat his opponents having successfully completed all three of the take-ons he has attempted in seven top flight appearances this season.

Central midfield competition

While Perez doesn't have too much competition in the No 10 role, it is a different story for Rafa Benitez when it comes to his central midfield options.

At the current time Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Mikel Merino and even Mo Diame are competing for a spot in the middle of the park, with two missing out in the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Howver, playing the likes of Hayden and Merino – who have both proven they are worthy starts and impressive performers already this term – together would allow Benitez to play Shelvey in a more advanced role in place of an out of form Perez without having to worry about the impact it could have on the team defensively.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.