John Carver has insisted that he will not allow Newcastle United's season to 'peter away' after being confirmed as manager until the end of the campaign.

The long-serving St James' Park number two has seen his reign extended to the summer despite failing to win any of his four matches in caretaker charge.

The Magpies are 11th in the Premier League table, nine points adrift of the European places and eight above the drop zone, having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions, but Carver has stressed that they will not simply let the coming months drift by.

"I'm delighted to have got the job until the end of the season," he told the club's official website. "Everyone knows I love this club and my goals are simple - to finish as high as we can in the Premier League and get as many points as we can.

"Everybody on the outside is talking about our season petering away but I am not going to allow that to happen. Those who are saying that don't know me, don't know the people around me and don't know this group of players. We're much more professional than that.

"We can't afford to let the season drift away and I won't allow it to happen. I'm too demanding and I won't allow anyone to slacken off between now and the end of May."

Newcastle travel to Hull City, who currently occupy the final relegation place, in the league on Saturday.