Jonjo Shelvey: Swansea City midfielder assured over future

Jonjo Shelvey has started just one of Alan Curtis' five games in charge

Jonjo Shelvey has a "huge part to play" at Swansea City despite falling out of favour in recent weeks, according to manager Alan Curtis.

England midfielder Shelvey has started just one of the last seven Swansea games and has been linked with a move to Newcastle United.

But the 23-year-old is set to start in Sunday's FA Cup tie at Oxford United, and the new boss wants him to stay.

"Hopefully he will show everybody what he's capable of," said Curtis.

"From there, we will look at it in terms of the league fixtures to come."

Shelvey last completed 90 minutes for Swansea on 21 November when he scored a penalty - his only goal of the season - in the 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth.

Curtis admitted the former Liverpool player is frustrated by the lack of recent opportunities, and Newcastle are said to be ready to test Swansea's resolve to keep him.

"I would want him to stay, yeah, absolutely," stressed Curtis, who has been put in charge at the Liberty Stadium until the end of the season.

"I spoke to him [on Friday] and told him that. I feel that he's got a huge part to play.

"He's not in the team at the moment and there's always going to be speculation about good players.

Franck Tabanou will be among a number of Swansea fringe players to face Oxford

"Jonjo's a current England international so there's going to be speculation about him moving on.

"We feel that he's a huge part of what will be a difficult run-in."

Franck Tabanau, an even more peripheral figure at Swansea, is also expected to be given a rare opportunity against Oxford on Sunday.

The French left-back has played just two Captial One Cup games since arriving over the summer from St Eitenne for £3.5m.

A return to France has been mooted, but Curtis heaped lavish praise on the 26-year-old when asked about his prospects at the club.

"We have barely seen Franck play but he is training now [after injury] and he has got an unbelievable left foot," he said.

"He is as good a left-footed player as I've seen. He smashes the ball for fun.

"I have been watching video clips of him. I actually sat him down the other day and said: 'Franck, who is that man?'

"He is going past people, beating two or three players and smashing it in from 30 yards, taking free-kicks, penalties. I haven't seen that fella before."