John Carver issues battle cry to Newcastle players ahead of Tyne-Wear derby

JOHN CARVER is ready to rack the whip in a bid to avoid an unwanted place in Tyne-Wear derby history.

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Newcastle were left stunned by Sunderland's victory

Newcastle's interim head coach is desperate to avoid defeat at the Stadium of Light, as Sunderland go in search of a club record fifth consecutive victory over their North-East neighbours. 

Carver admits the most damning statistic for his side in those four previous derby defeats is the fact that they have been out-worked and out-run by their bitter rivals.

The 50-year-old has laid down the law to his troops - telling them a lung-bursting effort is the minimum requirement in the heat of derby battle.

He is ready to use whatever methods he can to get his message across, and the proud Geordie said: "There are one or two lads in that dressing room who need a good game and to impose themselves on the derby, because they've not done in the past. 

"If we get enough players imposing themselves on the game, then we have a good chance of winning it. In the last four games, Sunderland have out-worked us and that's not a good stat to have. It's a damning statistic, and I'll be making sure that doesn't happen again.

"I'll be using a whip if necessary to make sure we don't get out-worked. We need to do enough to give ourselves a chance to win the game."

Sunderland emerged victorious from St James' Park in December thanks to a last-gasp Adam Johnson goal.

Fast forward three months, and the Black Cats will go in search of a first win in nine games to help them increase the slender single-point advantage they have on the bottom three.

Newcastle are safe in mid-table, 10 points above the drop zone, but Carver insists his side still have plenty to play for. 

They have won just two of 12 games since Alan Pardew left to join Crystal Palace in January. Carver, who welcomes back midfielder Mehdi Abeid to the squad after injury, added: "We've lost the last four derbies and drawn the previous one, so we've got an awful lot to prove. 

"I'll be demanding a lot from the players, but to be honest I shouldn't have to motivate them for a game like this."

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