Thursday 15 January 2015 16:13, UK
Newcastle caretaker manager John Carver insists it is business as usual on Tyneside as the club continue their search for a successor to Alan Pardew.
Carver has asked to be considered for the post on a permanent basis but is waiting for news as managing director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr assess their options.
In the meantime, the 49-year-old is remaining focused on his preparations for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Southampton as he looks for his first win after three games in charge.
Carver said: "I haven't spoken to [owner] Mike Ashley, but I had a good conversation with Lee. It hasn't changed.
"The club has a process and you can appreciate this is a massive football club, so they have to do their due diligence on everybody. There's a process and I am involved in that. When the time is right, they will announce the new head coach."
That quest has been ongoing now for almost two weeks since Pardew's departure for Crystal Palace, and it appears no appointment is imminent with talks ongoing with a series of contenders.
Former Lyon boss Remi Garde is one of those to have held discussions with the St James' Park hierarchy, but the Magpies’ hierarchy are determined to take their time over the appointment and make sure they make the right decision.
In the circumstances, Carver will simply concentrate on the football and let everything else take care of itself.
Asked if the situation is unsettling, he said: "You can't think that way. I am such a positive guy, inside my head; I'm thinking it's going to go on forever.
"I will plan for the game against a strong Southampton team, get my head together after that and see where we go from there."
Carver has received a series of boosts on the injury front with midfielders Mehdi Abeid and Siem de Jong having returned to training on Thursday, although De Jong in particular is some way from a senior appearance having been out since September with a torn thigh muscle.
Sammy Ameobi is fit after a knee problem and winger Gabriel Obertan is around two weeks away from rejoining the group. Jonas Gutierrez is also close to a first-team return following his successful battle against testicular cancer.
Carver said: "Jonas has played three reserve games and scored the other night. He's getting fitter and stronger and it's part of his process.
"I am liaising with him all the time. Players know better than I do in terms of fitness. He is about two or three weeks away from pushing for a first team place."
