JOHN CARVER will remain in caretaker charge of Newcastle United for Saturday’s game at Chelsea – and the former assistant has been told to work on the assumption that he could also find himself presiding over the following weekend’s home game with Southampton.

Newcastle’s search for Alan Pardew’s permanent successor as head coach remains ongoing, with Frenchman Remi Garde having emerged as a clear front runner.

Garde has indicated a strong desire to take over at St James’ Park, and while he is not believed to have had direct contact with Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley, the two parties are understood to have initiated discussions via an intermediary party.

Charnley is running the recruitment process alongside chief scout Graham Carr, with owner Mike Ashley kept informed of developments and expected to become personally involved once a contract is close to being agreed.

It is now ten days since Pardew effectively relinquished his duties in the wake of a 3-2 win over Everton, yet the Newcastle hierarchy are still some way away from completing a permanent appointment.

In part that is a reflection of their trust in Carver’s capabilities, with the former number two set to lead his side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday despite overseeing a draw with Burnley and an FA Cup defeat to Leicester City in the two games of his current caretaker spell so far.

Newcastle’s desire to take their time also reflects a determination to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of Pardew’s successor, with candidates having been assessed both at home and abroad.

After taking on Southampton on January 17, the Magpies’ exit from the FA Cup means they then have a two-week break before they resume their programme with a trip to Hull City, and it may be that this hiatus is regarded as the ideal moment for a new head coach to begin work.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe became the latest person to distance himself from the role yesterday, insisting that he would not be leaving his current employers while they are within touching distance of a place in the Premier League.

“It’s flattering,” said Howe. “I am not going to say that you don’t want to be linked with jobs because I think if you are not linked with jobs, you are not winning games. So I will take that for winning games.

“But I have no interest in any other jobs bar this one. I don’t listen to speculation or what the media say, it is very much about the day-to-day running of this football club. I love doing the job here and I am focused on our next game on Saturday.”

Carver continues to covet a permanent position at the head of Newcastle’s coaching structure, but his cause has hardly been helped by his side’s performance in the last two matches and a trip to the current Premier League leaders does not represent the easiest of propositions from which to turn things around.

Nevertheless, Adam Armstrong insists his team-mates are capable of springing a major surprise at Stamford Bridge, having already beaten Chelsea on Tyneside earlier this season.

The teenage striker was an excited observer as Papiss Cisse’s double condemned Jose Mourinho’s side to their first defeat of the season, but having played a prominent role in October’s equally surprising win at Manchester City, Armstrong is adamant Saturday’s game is not a foregone conclusion.

“Chelsea came to St James’ Park and we were the underdogs, but I thought we had our best game and won 2-1,” he said. “Man City is a massive club with a huge stadium, but we went there and won 2-0.

“There’s a lot of history at Stamford Bridge, but we’ve got to keep working hard in training every day and go for it.”

With Cisse’s suspension having led to his early departure to the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, Armstrong will hope to get the nod to lead the line ahead of Emmanuel Riviere in two days time.

The 17-year-old is still waiting for his first senior goal, but feels his performances have improved markedly since he made his first-team debut last season.

“I’m looking to get a lot more games,” he said. “I’ve got to keep working hard and getting better. I’ve got good players around, which is good, and as a young lad you’ve got to push for your place. I feel I’m doing that.”

First-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul will return to the starting line-up on Saturday after resuming full training this week.