Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is apparently considering offering caretaker boss John Carver the permanent vacancy poised to be created by Alan Pardew.

Carver - Newcastle's long-serving number two - has been placed in temporary charge as the club prepare for Pardew to quit for Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.

The Mirror claims that the 49-year-old has rejected the chance to join Pardew at Selhurst Park, where Keith Millen is expected to be retained as assistant to the man appointed Neil Warnock's successor.

Ashley is understood to be relieved that Carver is staying at St James' Park as he credits him with playing a huge role in the Magpies' turnaround this season and the promotion of Ayoze Perez into the first team.

Under the title of head coach rather than manager, he could be given the hotseat until at least the end of the season, but none of Tony Pulis, Steve Bruce and Tim Sherwood are not believed to be in the running.