NEWCASTLE UNITED'S board have defended the club’s policy regarding the cup competitions, and insisted they did not influence John Carver’s selection for January’s FA Cup third-round defeat at Leicester City.

With the board having previously admitted the cups were “not a priority”, eyebrows were raised when a host of first-team players were absent from the Newcastle side that suffered a 1-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium.

However, aside from Ayoze Perez, who was rested, the Magpies hierarchy are adamant that every other absentee was injured.

The notes of a recent fans’ forum have been released, and said: “The board explained that a number of clubs had voiced concern at a Premier League shareholders’ meeting about the scheduling of the FA Cup and the number of games during the Christmas period.

“This was something that the Premier League acknowledged, but it was unavoidable. That said, it was felt that the team selected for the third round tie at Leicester - which was the strongest available with the exception of Ayoze Perez (rested) - was put out with the firm intention of winning the game, and had the quality to do so.

“The board contested the idea that the club goes out to lose any match. It was suggested that Newcastle United’s openness in relation to the Premier League being its priority was unlike other Premier League clubs, who operate in much the same way without communicating that view to supporters.”

Responding to another question, the board also challenged the perception that an incoming head coach would not have an influence over signings.

The minutes said: “The reality is that a head coach would have an opinion and an input into transfers, just not the final say.

“The board and chief scout would sit with the head coach with a number of options in line with the head coach’s template for the team. The initial scouting and shortlisting would be done by the chief scout, while the board would take care of financial elements to ensure the head coach could concentrate on their duties.

“The board explained this sort of system happens in a lot of football clubs across the world. The board feels this structure enables individuals to focus on their respective strengths.”