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Newcastle to take action on threadbare squad says John Carver

Jack Colback of Newcastle United looks on after they conceding a third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United
Image: Newcastle have just 13 fit outfield players for Saturday's clash with Arsenal

Newcastle will hold a crucial meeting in the coming weeks to discuss a threadbare squad that currently has just 13 fit outfield players, according to boss John Carver.

The 50-year-old, who is in charge of the Magpies until the summer, says the club's owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley have accepted that urgent action is needed to strengthen their squad this summer.

Carver is hoping to succeed Alan Pardew on a long-term basis and has recently been part of an “ongoing process” of identifying targets for the next transfer window.

“I've spoken to Lee Charnley, who has obviously spoken to Mike, and they acknowledge the fact that we're short, particularly at centre-back,” Carver said.

“It's a difficult situation. The squad needs to be stronger and Lee and the board have acknowledged that to me, that's why I am saying to you now that they are going to invest because they know they have to.

“That's from the top. They have realised they've got to do something about it.

“There's a big meeting in place in the next couple of weeks with Lee and chief scout Graham Carr to talk about the future and to talk about investment.

"I've seen who we are looking at and, without going into detail, there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes. This football club will invest in the summer because it needs it.

“I have been part of it in the last few weeks and there are things in place. I'm excited by the fact that I've been part of the process. I've seen the players and they're good players."

Newcastle, who are 11th in the Premier League and 10 points clear of danger, host Arsenal at St James' Park on Saturday.

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