JOHN CARVER has spoken of his relief at being handed the managerial reins at Newcastle United and is focused on proving he can do the job for the longer term.

Carver was told to carry on as interim head coach until the end of the season earlier this week, but is keen to stay in the position beyond this season – even if he is not expecting any additions to his squad before the transfer window closes.

There will continue to be a lot of speculation surrounding a full-time appointment in the summer, with Steve McClaren and Remi Garde two of the most favoured for the role. Carver, though, is only thinking about the remaining matches, starting with Saturday’s trip to Hull City.

"It’s definitely a relief,” said Carver. “When I got this opportunity four weeks ago, the first two or three days were crazy. Then it settled down, and then we had the game against Southampton.

“Obviously, I was a little bit frustrated, but when I got the call from Lee Charnley to have a chat about the position, I was absolutely delighted. I'm so proud and honoured to be the head coach of a club like this.

“I think Lee has come out and said it's our goal to finish in the top ten. If we get tenth, ninth, eighth, seventh, at a push, why not (full-time)? That's how I'm looking at it. I'm not thinking about 11th, 12th - no. Tenth, ninth, eighth - at least - in my mind.

"We've got 16 games left, but why can't we go on a run? Why can't we win games? I've seen enough in the last three or four games, taking the cup game out of it, for us to go on a run.

"We've got a group three or four games now that are very, very important. The most important thing is getting that first win, and it has to come soon.”

Carver will have Gabriel Obertan, Mehdi Abeid, Davide Santon available at the KC Stadium. He also hopes to have striker Papiss Cisse available after Senegal were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

He is not planning to have any new signings in his squad before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday night.

Carver said: “I wouldn't have thought so, no. I don't get involved in it. I haven't had any conversations about it.

"I've had conversations about many, many things with (managing director) Lee Charnley (but not transfers). I'm happy to work under these conditions. My job is to work with the guys on the pitch and deal with what's put in front of me.”

The Newcastle boss insisted he did not know anything about any progress in Newcastle’s pursuit of MK Dons midfielder Dele Alli.