Mike Ashley will spend big at Newcastle this summer

Carver has just two recognised defenders available for tomorrow’s visit by Arsenal as he carries the can for the failure to strengthen in January, when Davide Santon and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa were allowed to leave without being replaced.

Ashley’s planned summer spend could come too late for interim head coach Carver, who is losing his battle to earn the job full-time at the end of the season.

He said: “It’s a difficult situation. I’ve spoken to [managing director] Lee Charnley who has obviously spoken to Mike, and they acknowledge the fact that the squad needs to be stronger and that something’s got to be done about it.

“There’s a process in place which I’ve been involved with for a few weeks now, and there’s a big meeting planned in the next couple of weeks to talk about the future, and to talk about investment. I’ve seen the players we are looking at bringing in, and there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes.

“This football club will invest in the summer, because it needs it and they know that. That’s come to me from the top.

“Five or six injuries with a squad our size is pushing it, but we’ve had many more than that. Long-term, that’s what’s killed us. The squad needs to be stronger and that’s why I am saying now they are going to invest, because the club knows it has to.”

Newcastle have won just two of the 11 games the 50-year-old has been in charge since replacing Alan Pardew in January.

He added: “The fact Mike and Lee have acknowledged things doesn’t make me feel better. But at least people out there understand that’s what happened. 

“Whether the strengthening comes too late for me – it’s yes and no, because I’ve always said that I’ve got to deal with the situation. Who knows what Mike and Lee are thinking? They might take this into consideration, I don’t know.”

Carver is in a flap over Phil Neville’s Match of the Day flip-flop jibe. Former England defender Neville tore into Newcastle after their lacklustre display in the 3-0 defeat at Everton, claiming they were mentally on the beach and waiting for the end of the season. Carver hit back, saying: “I was angry when I heard it, because he couldn’t be any further from the truth.

“It’s insulting and it’s wrong, especially from ex-players. I’m sure if they were playing now, they wouldn’t like those comments being aimed at them.”