Report: Shelvey, Townsend's wages won't change if Newcastle is relegated

Newcastle United fans, worry not: It appears that two of the club's newest midfield talents won't be forced out of St. James' Park should the Geordies face the drop at season's end.

Sky Sports reports that newcomers Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend would retain the same basic wages even if the club is relegated into the English Championship.

When Newcastle was relegated following the 2009-10 season, the club lost a number of top players after being unable to pay their salaries without the influx of cash from Premier League television deals that sustained its salary budget.

Key figures like Obafemi Martins, Sebastien Bassong, and Damien Duff were sold off in 2010 in an effort to balance the budget.

This time around, Newcastle has supposedly at least guaranteed similar wages to its pair of big-money January transfer window signings. Shelvey, who came out of Swansea City, and Townsend, who departed Tottenham, both joined the Magpies for about £12 million each.

Newcastle currently sits 18th in the Premier League, having won just five matches all season, while losing 13. With only 14 games remaining, the Magpies look set to do battle with the likes of Norwich City and Swansea to stay alive, while also hoping that Sunderland and Aston Villa remain below them.