NEWCASTLE UNITED head coach John Carver has hit back at claims his squad are already thinking about their summer holidays.

The head coach also revealed he has only 13 fit senior outfield players to select from for Saturday’s visit of Arsenal.

BBC pundit Phil Neville accused the Magpies of having their “flip flops on” following Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.

Newcastle have won only twice since Carver took over from Alan Pardew in December, but having reached a points total that should see them safe at the end of the season they have been accused of taking their foot off the gas.

"I was pretty angry when I heard it, because he couldn't be any further form the truth,” Carver said. “I think it's insulting and I think it's wrong, especially from ex-players.

“I'm sure if they were playing now they wouldn't like the comments, as I didn't. What I did do was to inform the players about what these people had been saying.

“I thought it was important that they knew. Now it's down to ourselves to show those people out there that we've not go our flip flops on - although we might today, because it's sunny! “ Carver’s squad has been decimated by injuries and suspensions in recent weeks and the head coach will have to include four youth team players in his squad this weekend.

Daryl Janmaat will fill in at centre-back with Mike Williamson the only fit senior central defender available.

Mehdi Abeid is the only player likely to return in the next couple of weeks and Carver admitted he has never been in a situation as bad as he is now.

He said: “There's no sign of anyone coming back in the near future other than Mehdi Abeid who is a week or so away. “We're working on Rolando Aarons, everyone else is more or less long term Siem de Jong went outside for a work out for the first time today which was nice to see.

“I've had some big challenges in the past but this is one of the biggest. It's my job to get the side to put in a performance to respond to our defeat at Everton.