Premier League: Newcastle caretaker boss John Carver believes they can climb table

Newcastle caretaker-boss John Carver believes they can challenge for a European place this season despite a turbulent campaign.

The 49-year-old has replaced Alan Pardew as manager after he left to become Crystal Palace boss.

Carver will lead the side out against Chelsea on Saturday, having overseen a 3-3 draw at home to Burnley, when the Magpies led on three occasions, and an FA Cup defeat at Leicester when he took charge of an injury-hit side.

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Newcastle lie 10th in the table going into the weekend’s fixtures but Carver - who would like the job on a permanent basis - is convinced they can finish higher than that.

"The fact I have put my hat in the ring, some people will say I was crazy, but I want to do it,” Carver said.

"We finished fifth a couple of years ago and that was fantastic - so why can't we push fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth?

"There's all this talk that the club is happy to sit in the top 10. But no - set your marker as high as you can and if you can get there then what an achievement.

"We've proved we're capable of that when we had our recent run of six wins on the bounce."

The fact I have put my hat in the ring, some people will say I was crazy, but I want to do it,

Papiss Cisse scored both goals as Newacstle defeated 2-1 at home in December and Carver will do his chances of becoming permanent Newcastle manager no harm if he could oversee a double over Jose Mourinho’s side.

"That's the unfortunate thing about being caretaker-manager - you are on interview all the time,” added Carver.

"It's a bit unfortunate because normally a new manager is given time to put his ways across.

"I know the pitfalls and what comes with it. It hasn't been a great few days but I love it. I still want to do it and I have the drive and enthusiasm to do it."