BLACKPOOL boss Ian Holloway is hoping that Jonjo Shelvey can follow Tangerines’ old boy Charlie Adam’s example – and swap a starring role at Bloomfield Road for the Anfield engine room.

Shelvey enjoyed a sparkling spell on loan at Blackpool earlier this season, scoring six goals in 11 appearances, but has been recalled to Anfield in the wake of Lucas’ season-ending injury.

Holloway dearly hopes that the 19-year-old will have a part to play with Lucas, Steven Gerrard and now Jay Spearing all sidelined.

Shelvey featured in each of Liverpool’s last six matches of last season, and was used as a substitute in five successive games after Kenny Dalglish’s return to Liverpool as manager.

Holloway explained: “I just hope he is involved (at Liverpool), because when someone invests that amount of money in a lad so early (he signed for £1.7m from Charlton in summer 2010), they often end up getting stacked and racked and lost.

“It is a shame he has had to go back, because Liverpool are playing exceptionally well and I had been hoping that might leave an opportunity for us to keep Jonjo until the end of the season.

“All I know is that Jonjo is a fantastic young man who has all sorts of ability. I have no doubts whatsoever he will be a top, top player.

“He is already at a top, top club and he had been helping us try to get back to where we want to get – the Premier League. He has improved in the time he’s been here and that pleases me.”

Shelvey is more of an attacking midfield presence than either Lucas or Spearing – more of a Steven Gerrard figure than a holding player, but he admits he has added other qualities to his game during his spell in the Championship playing alongside experienced international stars like Barry Ferguson.

“Barry Ferguson is a top player and I didn’t realise how much history he’s got until I looked him up on Wikipedia!” Shelvey explained. “He’s a great leader and a great player. You have to listen and learn from people like him.

“I’ve been in the game for three years and someone like Barry has dealt with being a footballer for his entire career.

“Also Ian Holloway is very different to previous managers I’ve had but he’s been first-class with the way he’s handled me.

“I’m quite a feisty character on the field because I want to win, and he’s given me a boost of confidence that I needed to take back to Liverpool.

“It’s been a pleasure playing for him, and I think I’m going back fitter and stronger.

“I first came on the scene at 16 but I think I’d gone off the boil recently. Because I had so much publicity from a young age, it can go to your head a little bit.

“It did with me and that’s why I’m glad to have been playing every week.

“I think I did well at the club and I hope I’ve given the fans something to remember.”

Shelvey will now be hoping to give Reds fans something to rmember him by, starting with Saturday’s visit of Queens Park Rangers to Anfield.