Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is closing in on a January move to Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he rated Shelvey "very highly" but it "would be very difficult" to keep him.

Forest boss Steve Cooper confirmed the midfielder was having a medical at the club on Monday.

With Shelvey likely to be joining, midfielder Lewis O'Brien is set to leave Forest on loan for the rest of the season.

Shelvey would become the second Newcastle player to move to the City Ground this month after striker Chris Wood.

During a news conference for Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester United, Cooper said the process to sign Shelvey was ongoing.

"I won't deny Jonjo is having a medical because I think you've all seen him so it would be wrong for me to do that," he said.

"We've got to respect the process and if that process is completed, we'll talk openly about that."

Shelvey has made 202 appearances and scored 18 goals in all competitions since joining Newcastle from Swansea City in 2016.

Howe said: "Jonjo has been a huge player for this football club over the last seven years. He has been a very important part of my squad since I've been here. Unfortunately, he's had injuries this season.

"Certainly, I would not want to lose him but, similar to Chris Wood, I have to understand the player's wishes with his contract coming to an end this summer.

"You can keep players that want to leave, but you have to take every situation independently and try and judge what's best for him and the club."

Newcastle are third in the Premier League and hold a one-goal advantage over Southampton heading into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.