Friday 20 March 2015 14:04, UK
Lubomir Satka is ready to answer Newcastle's call to arms as head coach John Carver attempts to cope with a defensive crisis.
The 19-year-old Slovakian was an unused substitute in last weekend's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Everton but he could feature for the Magpies as Arsenal head to St James' Park on Saturday.
Carver's resources have been further stretched by skipper Fabricio Coloccini's suspension, but Satka insists he will not be fazed if he is handed a league debut against the Gunners.
Satka told the club's official website: "It doesn't scare me. I don't feel any pressure. I want to say I'm ready, but I guess you never know until you actually play. But I'm excited.
"If I get called upon, I'll try my best. Hopefully I'll make my debut and it'll be good for me to be tested against good players. Obviously, it would be a big test for me - I'm still young - but it would be a great learning experience."
Carver is unlikely to throw Satka in at the deep end against the Gunners, but the fact he has few options at the back, with the likes of Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara all injured, means he could be involved at some stage.
Despite his current problems, Carver, who is hoping to succeed Alan Pardew on a permanent basis, does at least have the support of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who has voiced the opinion that he has "the qualities to do the job".
Carver said: "That's nice, because people in the game understand what is going on. He (Wenger) understands that if he was here in these circumstances, he would have a problem dealing with it.
"We've seen sides in the past when they pick up four or five injuries, it affects them, especially when it's their best players. We've got eight or nine - and six or seven would be in the team."
