Newcastle boss John Carver claims there will be a clear-out at St James’ Park

Newcastle boss John Carver claims there will be a clear-out at St James’ Park this summer as the club prepares to address the deficiencies within the squad.

The Magpies have stalled since making a creditable start to the campaign, with injuries and suspensions having exposed the lack of depth in a group of players assembled within the confines of owner Mike Ashley's strict financial policy.

Carver, who took charge of team selection after Alan Pardew's departure for Crystal Palace, has already been involved in discussions with managing director Lee Charnley and he confirmed the hierarchy is planning an exodus of players.

"They know there has to be a clear-out. It's pretty obvious to the man in the street and to the professionals. It has to be done,” Carver said.

"There are people out of contract, there are people who are not good enough - they know that, and I am telling you now, because I have been part of it in the last few weeks, there are things in place."

Carver admits there are players in the squad who are playing for their futures in the remaining weeks of the season, starting with Arsenal's visit to Tyneside on Saturday.

The 50-year-old insists that no-one is relaxing at Newcastle, as one television pundit claimed last week.

Carver said: "We all are (playing for futures), absolutely, and that's why I was a bit astonished when people came out and talked about us being on the beach and wearing flip-flops.

"How can players do that when they know that everybody is playing for their futures?"

Carver's long-term future remains uncertain with Newcastle having won only two of the 11 games they have played in all competitions under his charge, although there are mitigating factors.

As a result of injuries and suspensions Carver only has 13 players available for the Arsenal match and will be without the likes of Siem de Jong, Fabricio Coloccini and Papiss Cisse

"I've never been in a position like this and I don't think anybody I've ever worked with has ever had a situation like this,” Carver said.

"I remember a couple of seasons ago we went down to Norwich and we had to play Danny Simpson and James Perch as centre-backs and they had the two big guys up front who gave us a problem. That was harsh, but not as harsh as this. Definitely not.

"I'm missing my best players, and that's how I look at it. With Cisse, it's like Tottenham being without Harry Kane; with de Jong, it's like them being without Christian Eriksen."