REMI GARDE is Newcastle United's preferred candidate to replace Alan Pardew as head coach, with the club's hierarchy hoping to formally appoint the Frenchman within the next few days.

While a large number of candidates have been considered in the last fortnight, Garde is so far the only person to have met senior Newcastle officials for face-to-face talks.

The former Lyon boss met a Magpies delegation that is understood to have included managing director Lee Charnely in London, having previously held a number of telephone discussions about the head coach vacancy at St James' Park.

Mike Ashley, who has delegated most of the responsibility for the recruitment process, has been kept abreast of developments.

Garde, who was Arsene Wenger's first signing as Arsenal manager, has indicated a strong desire to take over on Tyneside, but wants to travel to the North-East to see the club's training base and facilities at first hand.

That is expected to happen in the first half of this week, with formal contractual discussions set to follow as Newcastle's leaders attempt to resolve the current situation before Saturday's game with Southampton.

Caretaker boss John Carver will remain in charge for the visit of the Saints, and has still not given up hope of remaining in his current position until at least the end of the season.

Speaking after yesterday's 2-0 defeat, Carver said: "I was told to look after the game against Chelsea and possibly Southampton and after that it is the FA Cup fourth round, when we don’t have a game, so I do expect things to start moving now.

“We have two weeks so let’s see what happens but as far as I’m concerned I will be on the training ground on Monday preparing for Southampton.

"You can see the reaction of the players - they have played for me. The staff behind the scenes have been fantastic, everybody has been together, and if it that is a recommendation for the job then we have done alright.”